RALEIGH, N.C. — A new analysis reports that allergy season in North Carolina has grown significantly longer over the past several decades, a trend researchers link to rising temperatures and climate change. The study by Climate Central found that Raleigh’s allergy season has expanded by 41 days between 1970 and 2025.
That increase is nearly twice the national average growth of 21 days during the same period. Across the Southeast, allergy seasons have lengthened by about 19 days on average, according to the report.
Researchers say longer “freeze-free” growing seasons allow plants more time to grow and release pollen. The analysis found that 87 percent of the 198 U.S. cities examined have experienced longer freeze-free seasons, which can contribute to extended pollen production.
Kristy Dahl, vice president for science at Climate Central, said warming temperatures are giving plants more time to release pollen, which can worsen allergy symptoms for millions of Americans. “For millions of Americans, that means earlier, longer, and often more intense allergy seasons that can take a real toll on health and daily life,” Dahl said.
Local data shows tree pollen levels in Raleigh are already at moderate levels this week, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recently ranked Raleigh as the seventh most challenging U.S. city for pollen allergies in 2026.
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