Accuweather Mold Count (2024)

FAQs

What causes high mold count outdoors? ›

Mold spores can grow both outdoors and indoors all year round. They are fungi with seeds called 'spores' that travel through air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather while others spread with fog or dew when the humidity is high. Mold spores count is highest at night, especially when it's foggy, damp or rainy.

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a widespread and common agricultural, waste area, and garden weed in New York. It is a summer annual, can cause significant crop loss if left unmanaged for 2-3 weeks after planting, and is the main late-summer allergen in the US.

Rising temperatures cause earlier flowering and pollination and longer pollen seasons for species that pollinate in late winter and early spring (cypress, ash, birch). More exposed to pollens, the population develops more allergies.

If mold counts are high, it might be best to stay indoors. Try to keep your yard free of piles of damp and decaying leaves or wood. Check your local mold counts to determine if air quality is safe.

Generally speaking, a concentration of mold spores below 500 sp/m3 is considered normal. A concentration of mold spores above 500 sp/m3 is considered high. Therefore, if your report comes up with high concentrations of mold, it will likely advise you to remediate the problem.

Rain can make some allergies worse. This can include allergies to certain pollens, mold, dust, and grass. When rain falls on these allergens, it can break them up into smaller bits. This leads to easier spreading and can result in worse allergies.

Environmental factors play an important role in allergy symptoms. Increased pollution, air quality changes and outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold spores can create a perfect storm for heightened allergic responses. Seasonal variations. Allergy seasons ebb and flow throughout the year.

What Months Are NYC Allergy Season? In New York City, you'll want to keep an eye on pollen counts in April, May, and September. These months are when seasonal allergies are typically at their peak. During these months, try limiting your time outdoors or going out in the evening when pollen counts tend to be lower.

Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen and tend to start around late-February and last until the end of summer. Even allergies to ragweed should resolve by fall, around mid-October. If your allergy symptoms occur year-round or after pollen season is over, you may instead be having a reaction to mold.

When does allergy season start in 2024 in NYC? ›

In New York, allergy season typically starts around late February or early March and ends in October. However, if you suffer from indoor allergies, such as allergies to dust, pet dander, or mold, you might notice that they worsen during the winter if you spend more time inside than usual.

Herbicides are a common way how to kill ragweed. Ragweed is considered a broadleaf weed, so you can use broadleaf weed killers on it to help get rid of it.

Researchers predict these aren't outlier years, pointing to climate change as responsible for worsening allergy season. This past winter was the warmest on record across the continental U.S. Fewer days below freezing meant plants were able to bloom earlier and longer.

The researchers looked at daily pollen counts, availability of allergy specialists and over-the-counter medication use for population's in 100 of the nation's largest cities. Wichita, Kansas ranked number one on the list of worst places to live with seasonal allergies.

In humid, damp climates—like Dayton's—mold can thrive as a result. Your soffits aren't exposed to direct sunlight and can attract mold growth. Dense bushes bordering your home create just what mold needs to thrive—dark, wet spaces. Ivy and other vines on your siding allow water to penetrate it and foster mold growth.

Slime mold will appear on lawns when conditions are right: when there is warm, wet weather. Lots of rain or overnight watering may contribute to lawn slime molds. When you spot a black mold in your grass, it means there is a lot of decaying matter for this organism to eat up.

Outdoor molds often cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall. But they may be year-round in warmer, humid climates. Indoor molds may cause allergy symptoms year-round. Rarely, some people can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Moisture control is the key to mold control.