Respira
Pollen in Chicago, Illinois
Two distinct seasons: tree pollen off the lake in April and May, then ragweed from August until the first hard frost. The lake breeze can hold counts down downtown and leave the western suburbs worse.
Chicago sits in the Midwest, which is what decides the shape of its pollen year. 11 of the eleven species Respira reports in the United States occur here.
In season in Chicago right now
As of October, these are the species expected to be in the air in Chicago:
This is the seasonal expectation for the Midwest, not a measurement. The app reports the level measured for your own location each day, and says so when there is no reading rather than showing a zero.
Pollen calendar for Chicago
Month by month intensity for every species that occurs in the Midwest. Darker means higher. The current month is marked.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ragweed | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: none | Apr: none | May: none | Jun: none | Jul: low | Aug: very high | Sep: very high | Oct: moderate | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Grass | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: none | Apr: low | May: high | Jun: very high | Jul: high | Aug: moderate | Sep: low | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Oak | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: low | Apr: high | May: very high | Jun: low | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Birch | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: none | Apr: moderate | May: high | Jun: low | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Maple | Jan: none | Feb: low | Mar: moderate | Apr: high | May: moderate | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Juniper / Cedar | Jan: low | Feb: moderate | Mar: moderate | Apr: low | May: none | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: low |
| Elm | Jan: low | Feb: moderate | Mar: high | Apr: moderate | May: none | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: low | Sep: moderate | Oct: low | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Ash | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: moderate | Apr: high | May: low | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Cottonwood | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: moderate | Apr: high | May: low | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Pine | Jan: none | Feb: none | Mar: low | Apr: moderate | May: high | Jun: low | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
| Alder | Jan: none | Feb: low | Mar: moderate | Apr: low | May: none | Jun: none | Jul: none | Aug: none | Sep: none | Oct: none | Nov: none | Dec: none |
Seasonal estimate by climate zone, not a measurement. Seasons shift with elevation and with the year's weather.
What grows around Chicago
- Ragweed
- Peaks in August and September.
- Grass
- Peaks in June.
- Oak
- Peaks in May.
- Birch
- Peaks in May.
- Maple
- Peaks in April.
- Juniper / Cedar
- Peaks in February and March.
- Elm
- Peaks in March.
- Ash
- Peaks in April.
- Cottonwood
- Peaks in April.
- Pine
- Peaks in May.
- Alder
- Peaks in March.
Track today's levels in Chicago
This page is the shape of the year. For today's actual numbers, Respira reports the eleven US species for wherever you are, air quality on the EPA scale, and a symptom diary you can export as a PDF for your allergist.
Frequently asked questions
Which pollen is in the air in Chicago right now?
In October, the species typically in season in Chicago are Ragweed, Elm. This is the seasonal expectation for the Midwest, not a measurement for today.
When is pollen season in Chicago?
Ragweed peaks in August and September. Grass peaks in June. Oak peaks in May. Birch peaks in May. Maple peaks in April. Juniper / Cedar peaks in February and March. Elm peaks in March. Ash peaks in April. Cottonwood peaks in April. Pine peaks in May. Alder peaks in March.
Which pollen species are reported in Chicago?
11 of the eleven species Respira reports in the United States occur around Chicago: Ragweed, Grass, Oak, Birch, Maple, Juniper / Cedar, Elm, Ash, Cottonwood, Pine, Alder. Chicago sits in the Midwest, which is what decides which species occur and when.
Where does the pollen data for Chicago come from?
The month-by-month calendar on this page is a seasonal estimate for the Midwest. For measured daily levels, the Respira app uses the Google Pollen API across the United States, and reports no reading rather than a zero when a species has no data.
Nearby cities
Respira is an informational tool. It does not replace diagnosis or advice from a medical professional.