Rapid City pollen forecast — Storybook Island neighborhood
Pollen Today
Today (20 September) pollen in Storybook Island, Rapid City is moderate; ragweed is moderate.
Pollen Tomorrow
Tomorrow (21 September 2026) ragweed remains moderate, grass at low levels.
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) | None | 0/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 29/100 |
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 | 16/100 | |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 | — |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | None | 0/100 | |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | Moderate | 48/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Located at a small themed park at the edge of the Black Hills, Storybook Island sees vegetation and pollen exposure consistent with Rapid City more broadly, following the same seasonal pattern as the surrounding area. Any difference from the citywide pattern here tends to be minor rather than a distinct microclimate.
Storybook Island's pollen season lines up with the rest of Rapid City, starting with elm and cottonwood in March with ash following close behind through April. Grass pollen rises through May and June, and ragweed pollen builds through late summer into September. Wide-open plains terrain lets pollen travel long distances on the prevailing wind, a pattern felt across this part of Rapid City.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pollen in South Dakota
Is pollen high in Rapid City right now?
On 20 September 2026, overall pollen levels in Rapid City are moderate. Ambrosia is the main contributor to airborne pollen
Will pollen levels change in Rapid City tomorrow?
On 21 September 2026, pollen conditions in Rapid City will be different from today, with ambrosia at moderate levels, grass at low levels
Is pollen expected to decrease in Rapid City 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 Rapid City?
On 20 September 2026, Ambrosia is the dominant pollen source in Rapid City. artemisia and grass are not currently active.
When is pollen season in Rapid City?
How often is the Rapid City pollen forecast updated?
The Rapid City pollen forecast is updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Does pollen in Rapid City 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 Rapid City 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 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.
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).
