Cortez pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Cortez is high; ragweed is high; mugwort is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) mugwort remains low, ragweed remains high, grass at low levels.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass will increase; 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) | None | 0/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 13/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 57/100 |
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) | Low | 2/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 14/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 58/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Cortez's setting on a high-desert valley town near Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado supports sagebrush steppe, piñon-juniper woodland, and irrigated hayfields as the leading local vegetation, all factoring into the pollen count through the year. Counts here rise and fall with the same broad rhythm as other places sharing this setting. Microclimates within the area can shift the timing slightly from one neighborhood to the next.
Cortez's pollen season opens with juniper and cottonwood from March with ash following close behind through April. Grass pollen then peaks through May and June, and sagebrush and ragweed extend the season into September. The semi-arid high-elevation climate means fewer rainfall interruptions than in wetter US regions throughout the year.
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Pollen forecast neighborhoods 11 neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Colorado
Is pollen high in Cortez right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Cortez are high. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while artemisia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Cortez tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Cortez will be different from today, with ambrosia at high levels, artemisia at low levels, grass at low levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Cortez this week?
According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia and artemisia pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, while grass pollen will increase, suggesting mixed conditions later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Cortez?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Cortez. artemisia are also present but at lower levels. grass are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Cortez?
How often is the Cortez pollen forecast updated?
The Cortez pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Cortez 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 Cortez 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 Cortez, 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).
