Hot Chocolate St. Louis - Pollen and Air Quality Forecast for Today
Pollen
Pollen levels are high today, with ragweed, grass, and mugwort as the main active species. Based on Airmine's forecast, which uses satellite data to calculate exposure every 200 metres along the route, pollen exposure peaks at 0.0 km after start.
Air Quality
Air quality along the route is good, with all pollutants at low levels. Based on Airmine's forecast, which uses satellite data to calculate exposure every 200 metres along the route, air quality is at its worst 0.0 km after start.
Race Course Map
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Environmental Exposure Detail
Hot Chocolate St. Louis is part of the Skechers Hot Chocolate Run series, a national chain of chocolate-themed races that began with a single event in Chicago in 2007-08 and has since grown into one of the fastest-growing race series in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of runners across dozens of U.S. cities. Distances typically include a 5K and a signature 15K, and every finisher is rewarded with a mug of hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and a well-stocked post-race party.
Hot Chocolate St. Louis runs through the streets of St. Louis, where birch, lime, and plane trees lining the route are the main pollen source along the course, with birch peaking through April and May and grass pollen building through June and July. Expect generally acceptable air quality, with occasional dips in the most trafficked sections of central St. Louis where exhaust particulates can accumulate.
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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
Forecast for 30 August
Pollen Forecast
| Pollen species | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia (Acacia) | None | 0/100 |
| Alder (Alnus) | None | 0/100 |
| Birch (Betula) | None | 0/100 |
| Hazel (Corylus) | None | 0/100 |
| Cypress (Cupressaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Grass (Poaceae) | Moderate | 46/100 |
| Oak (Quercus) | None | 0/100 |
| Willow (Salicaceae) | None | 0/100 |
| Mugwort (Artemisia) | Moderate | 33/100 |
| Mulberry (Morus) | None | 0/100 |
| Plane (Platanus) | None | 0/100 |
| Nettle (Urtica) | None | 0/100 |
| Ragweed (Ambrosia) | High | 70/100 |
| Goosefoot (Amaranthaceae) | None | 0/100 |
Air Quality Forecast
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Good | 19.5/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 8.9/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 7.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 8.4/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 19.5/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 2.0/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.0/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 2.9/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 4.7/100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is air quality worst on the Hot Chocolate St. Louis route?
Based on today's forecast, O3 is forecast at good levels along the route today (19.5/100). Air quality is at its worst after 0.0 km into the route. Airmine calculates exposure at 200m intervals along the course using satellite-derived atmospheric data.
Where is pollen highest on the Hot Chocolate St. Louis course?
Pollen exposure peaks at km 0.0 today. This changes through the season as different pollen species become active.
When is pollen worst during the Hot Chocolate St. Louis season?
December coincides with peak ragweed season. Grass pollen typically rises in May-June.
How often is this forecast updated?
Updated four times daily. See the timestamp below for the most recent update.
Are pollen levels in Hot Chocolate St. Louis 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 Hot Chocolate St. Louis, 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 exposure is expected to be minimal. |
| Low | 0-25 | Low risk of exposure. Small amounts of pollen may be present. |
| Moderate | 25-50 | Moderate risk of exposure. Pollen exposure is expected to be noticeable. |
| High | 50-75 | High risk of exposure. Elevated pollen exposure is expected. |
| Very High | 75-100 | Very high risk of exposure. Pollen exposure is expected to be at or near its highest levels. |
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |