Charleston pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Charleston is high; ragweed is high; grass is moderate; mugwort is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) mugwort remains low, ragweed remains high, grass increasing.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass, mugwort, and ragweed will decrease.
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Pollen Risk
Today - 20 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | Moderate | 50/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 2/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 65/100 |
Tomorrow - 21 September
| Pollen species | Level | Value | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Grass (Poaceae) | High | 57/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 10/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 70/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Charleston's parks, including Hampton Park and the Ashley River corridor, feature oak, pine, and palm as the main tree pollen sources, with exposure varying between these green areas and the more built-up city centre. Surrounding South Carolina coastal plain woodland and wetlands contribute substantial tree and grass pollen, while the coastal position means onshore Atlantic winds can periodically disperse urban pollen.
Charleston's pollen season opens with oak and pine from late January, producing intense tree pollen through February and March. Grass pollen follows through April and May, with ragweed extending the season into October. The coastal position means onshore Atlantic winds can periodically disperse pollen, while surrounding South Carolina coastal plain woodland and wetlands contribute substantial tree and grass pollen throughout the extended season.
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Pollen forecast neighborhoods 3 neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in South Carolina
Is pollen high in Charleston right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Charleston are high. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while grass and artemisia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Charleston tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Charleston will be different from today, with ambrosia at high levels, artemisia at low levels and grass increasing
Is pollen expected to decrease in Charleston this week?
According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia, artemisia, and grass pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, suggesting improving conditions later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Charleston?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Charleston. grass and artemisia are also present but at lower levels.
When is pollen season in Charleston?
How often is the Charleston pollen forecast updated?
The Charleston pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston, 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.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 scores represent risk levels, not direct measurements of pollen or air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk. Pollen and air quality use different thresholds.
Pollen
| None | 0 | No or negligible risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be minimal. |
| Low | 0-25 | Low risk of exposure. Small amounts of pollen or mold spores may be present. |
| Moderate | 25-50 | Moderate risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be noticeable. |
| High | 50-75 | High risk of exposure. Elevated pollen/mold exposure is expected. |
| Very High | 75-100 | Very high risk of exposure. Pollen/mold exposure is expected to be at or near its highest levels. |
Get More in the Airmine Pollen app
Get 15-day pollen forecasts with morning, afternoon and evening detail, plus 5-day air quality forecasts. Explore interactive pollen risk maps, estimated pollen season start, route profiles and a symptoms diary.
Features and forecast availability vary by region. Currently covering Europe, the contiguous US, southern Canada, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia (Java & Bali), Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Buenos Aires area.
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS).
