Rapid City pollen forecast - today, tomorrow and the week ahead

On 9 August 2026, overall pollen levels in Rapid City are moderate. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen, while artemisia and grass remain at lower levels

On 10 August 2026, pollen conditions in Rapid City will be similar to today, with ambrosia at medium levels, artemisia at low levels, grass at low levels

According to the five-day outlook, ambrosia and grass pollen levels are expected to gradually decrease, while artemisia pollen will increase, suggesting mixed conditions later in the week.

On 9 August 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Rapid City. artemisia and grass are also present but at lower levels. cypress are not currently active.

Rapid City's pollen season opens with elm and cottonwood from late February, followed by ash through March and April. Grass pollen peaks through May and June, with ragweed contributing into September. The Black Hills to the west contribute substantial pine and grass pollen, while surrounding South Dakota prairie and farmland contribute additional grass and crop pollen. The open Great Plains landscape allows pollen to disperse widely under prevailing westerly winds.

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

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.

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 Rapid City, 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.