Ottumwa pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Ottumwa is moderate; ragweed is moderate; grass is low.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) levels are similar to today.
7-Day Trend
Over the next week grass, mugwort, and ragweed will increase.
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Features and forecast availability vary by region.
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) | Low | 2/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 28/100 |
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 | 3/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 28/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Ottumwa sits on a river-valley city along the Des Moines River, where the dominant vegetation is a mix of riverside cottonwood, oak woodlots, and farmland grasses, shaping the local pollen profile across the seasons. Local parks and open ground tend to see higher pollen counts than the denser urban core. As with most of the region, counts tend to build gradually rather than spike overnight.
The pollen calendar in Ottumwa opens with elm and cottonwood starting March before ash peaks during April. Grass pollen then peaks through May and June, and a strong ragweed peak follows in late summer into September. Wide-open plains terrain lets pollen travel long distances on the prevailing wind throughout the year.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in Iowa
Is pollen high in Ottumwa right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Ottumwa are moderate. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while grass remain at lower levels
Will pollen levels change in Ottumwa tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Ottumwa will be similar to today, with ambrosia at moderate levels, grass at low levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Ottumwa. grass are also present but at lower levels. artemisia are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Ottumwa?
How often is the Ottumwa pollen forecast updated?
The Ottumwa pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, 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).
