If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the moment. Your car suddenly looks like it’s been dusted with powdered mustard. Your eyes itch. Your sinuses start to close up.
Spring in Richmond has arrived, and with it comes the pollen.
After several weeks of freezing or near-freezing temperatures, Richmond is heading into a stretch of warm weather that could flirt with 80 degrees later this week. That kind of swing is basically an alarm clock for plants. Once the air warms and the wind starts moving, pollen follows.
And once it’s airborne, it gets everywhere.
Why Richmond Is So Rough on Allergy Sufferers
Richmond is a beautiful city, but it comes with a botanical catch. The place sits in a lush pocket of the Mid-Atlantic where forests, rivers, and suburban landscaping all pile on top of each other. The city has one of the more impressive urban tree canopies in the region, which means there’s a lot of greenery doing what greenery does every spring.
Juniper, elm, and maple trees are the main offenders right now. As temperatures climb in early March, they begin releasing pollen in large amounts. Add a few dry, breezy days and that pollen spreads across the region.
Which helps explain why Richmond has developed a reputation. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual “Allergy Capitals” report, Richmond consistently ranks among the worst cities in the country for seasonal allergies. In the most recent 2025 report, Richmond landed at #8 in the nation. The new report is due in the next few weeks.
For those keeping score, the top ten looked like this:
- Wichita, Kansas
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Richmond, Virginia
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Greensboro, North Carolina
The rankings look at pollen levels, how often people rely on allergy medication, and how easy it is to find allergy specialists. Richmond tends to perform poorly on the pollen side of the equation, which is the category most people notice first thing in the morning when their sinuses feel like they’ve been stuffed with cotton.
What Things Look Like Right Now
As of early March, Richmond is already moving into a high pollen period, and forecasts suggest levels will bounce between high and very high throughout the week as temperatures climb.
Warm weather wakes plants up. Dry air keeps pollen floating. Wind carries it across neighborhoods and over the river. It doesn’t take long before the evidence shows up on every windshield in the city.
How to Make It Through
For people who deal with seasonal allergies every year, a few small habits can make spring a little more manageable.
Pay attention to the morning hours.
Pollen levels tend to be highest between about 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when plants release the most pollen into the air.
Keep the windows closed on heavy pollen days.
That fresh spring air feels great, but it also carries pollen inside where it settles into carpets, furniture, and bedding.
Shower after spending time outdoors.
Pollen sticks to hair and clothing. Washing it off helps keep it from spreading through your home.
Check the daily pollen forecast.
Local allergy clinics and weather services track pollen levels, which can help people plan outdoor time when counts are lower.
Consider an air purifier or upgraded air filters.
Running a HEPA air purifier or installing higher-efficiency HVAC filters can help remove pollen circulating indoors. Allergy specialists often recommend this during peak pollen months.
You can find more information on Richmond allergy season HERE.
With warmer weather expected this week, allergy specialists say residents should prepare for rising pollen levels as the region moves further into the spring allergy season.
Photo by James Peacock
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