Costa Mesa pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

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

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Costa Mesa's coastal setting near Newport Bay features eucalyptus, palm, and introduced oak as the main tree pollen sources in parks and along streets, with exposure varying between these green areas and the more built-up city centre. Surrounding Orange County urban areas contribute additional tree and grass pollen, while onshore Pacific winds frequently disperse urban pollen across the coastal plain.

Today - 16 July

  • Alder (Alnus):

    None

    0/100

  • Birch (Betula):

    None

    0/100

  • Hazel (Corylus):

    None

    0/100

  • Cypress (Cupressaceae):

    Low

    14/100

  • Grass (Poaceae):

    Low

    18/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Ragweed (Ambrosia):

    Low

    16/100

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

    4/100

  • Oak (Quercus):

    None

    0/100

  • Willow (Salicaceae):

    None

    0/100

  • Mugwort (Artemisia):

    None

    0/100

  • Ragweed (Ambrosia):

    Low

    3/100

Air quality in Costa Mesa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is pollen high in Costa Mesa right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall pollen levels in Costa Mesa are low. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while cypress and grass remain at lower levels

Will pollen levels change in Costa Mesa tomorrow?

On 17 July 2026, pollen conditions in Costa Mesa will be different from today, with ambrosia at low levels, grass at low levels

Is pollen expected to decrease in Costa Mesa this week?

According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia, artemisia, cypress, and grass pollen levels will increase later in the week.

Which pollen types are currently active in Costa Mesa?

On 16 July 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Costa Mesa. cypress and grass are also present but at lower levels. oak, willow, alder, artemisia, and birch are not currently active.

When is pollen season in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa's pollen season opens with acacia and introduced olive from January in the mild Southern California coastal climate. Oak and grass follow through March and April, with the season peaking earlier than most US cities. Strong onshore Pacific winds frequently disperse urban pollen near Newport Bay, keeping coastal exposure lower than in sheltered inland areas. The dry summer largely suppresses mid-season pollen along the coast.
How often is the Costa Mesa pollen forecast updated?

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

Does pollen in Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa, 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.

Want to see pollen forecasts for other cities in United States?

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 05:36 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This page provides the latest public pollen forecast for Costa Mesa.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app

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