Des Plaines pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Des Plaines is moderate; grass and ragweed are moderate; mugwort is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) ragweed remains moderate, grass declining, mugwort no longer expected.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass, mugwort, and ragweed will increase.
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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 | 26/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Low | 1/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 44/100 |
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 | 13/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 29/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Des Plaines's Chicago suburban Cook County setting features oak, maple, and elm as the main tree pollen sources, with exposure varying between the Des Plaines River corridor wooded areas and the more built-up commercial corridors along Lee Street. The Des Plaines River corridor is a particularly significant local source, while the proximity to O'Hare International Airport's open grassland areas contributes additional local grass pollen and the flat Midwest landscape allows wide dispersal throughout.
Des Plaines's Chicago suburban setting produces a season opening in late March with elm and maple before oak peaks through May. Grass from surrounding Illinois farmland peaks through June and July before mugwort and nettle extend exposure into September. The Des Plaines River valley channels airflows, while the flat Midwest landscape allows pollen to disperse widely and the Lake Michigan proximity provides occasional temperature moderation.
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Resource Hub
Pollen forecast neighborhoods 3 neighborhoods
Sports venues in Des Plaines 3 sports venues
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Illinois
Is pollen high in Des Plaines right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Des Plaines are moderate. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while grass and artemisia remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Des Plaines tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Des Plaines will be different from today, with ambrosia at moderate levels and grass continuing to decline
Is pollen expected to decrease in Des Plaines this week?
According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia, artemisia, and grass pollen levels will increase later in the week.
Which pollen types are currently active in Des Plaines?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Des Plaines. grass and artemisia are also present but at lower levels.
When is pollen season in Des Plaines?
How often is the Des Plaines pollen forecast updated?
The Des Plaines pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines, 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).
