Chapel Hill pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

Today (16 July) pollen in Chapel Hill is medium; grass is medium; ragweed is low. Tomorrow (17 July 2026) levels are similar - ragweed remains low, grass declining. Over the following five days grass and ragweed will decrease. Forecasts are calculated by Airmine using satellites to map local vegetation and determine pollen season onset.

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Chapel Hill's Orange County North Carolina university town setting features loblolly pine, white oak, and tulip poplar as the main tree pollen sources, with extensive UNC campus woodland that makes tree pollen particularly significant locally. Exposure varies between the densely wooded Battle Park and Bolin Creek corridors and the more built-up downtown and commercial areas, while the wooded university campus is a particularly significant local tree pollen source creating distinct campus-to-downtown pollen gradients.

Today - 16 July

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    Medium

    27/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Ragweed (Ambrosia):

    Low

    20/100

High pollen levels may trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. Airmine's neighbourhood estimates use satellites to map local vegetation and a statistical prediction model, updated four times daily.

Tomorrow - 17 July

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    Low

    12/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Ragweed (Ambrosia):

    Low

    6/100

Air quality in Chapel Hill

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Chapel Hill right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall pollen levels in Chapel Hill are moderate. Grass is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while ambrosia remain at lower levels

Will pollen levels change in Chapel Hill tomorrow?

On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Chapel Hill will be different from today, with ambrosia at low levels and grass continuing to decline

Is pollen expected to decrease in Chapel Hill this week?

According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia and grass pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, suggesting improving conditions later in the week.

Which pollen types are currently active in Chapel Hill?

On 16 July 2026, Grass is the dominant pollen source in Chapel Hill. ambrosia are also present but at lower levels. willow, alder, artemisia, birch, cypress, and oak are not currently active.

When is pollen season in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill's Research Triangle setting in North Carolina produces a season opening in late January with cedar and pine before oak peaks through March and April. Grass from surrounding North Carolina farmland peaks through May and June before mugwort and nettle extend exposure into September. The Piedmont setting channels airflows, while the University of North Carolina campus and surrounding forest make tree pollen particularly significant during spring.
How often is the Chapel Hill pollen forecast updated?

The Chapel Hill pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.

Does pollen in Chapel Hill come from nearby or far away?

Studies show that most pollen exposure (often 70–90%) comes from nearby sources, such as local trees and vegetation. A good pollen forecast therefore depends on accurately representing local vegetation. Pollen can travel long distances, but this usually matters only early in the season or during specific wind events.

Are pollen levels in Chapel Hill based on measurements or forecasts?

Pollen data is often misunderstood. Most "pollen levels" are not real-time measurements, but forecasts.

Direct pollen measurements are typically delayed by 1-2 days because they require manual analysis. To show current conditions in Chapel Hill, modern forecasts combine recent measurements, weather data, and information about local vegetation.

This allows us to estimate pollen levels for today and the coming days, not just report the past.

Airmine’s atmospheric monitoring platform was developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team, using satellite and Earth observation technologies to improve emissions monitoring.

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This page provides the latest public pollen forecast for Chapel Hill.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

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