Pollen Season Playbook for Outdoor Athletes

One of the most allergenic tree pollens in northern and central Europe. Peak concentrations often occur in April. Can travel hundreds of kilometres on wind.

An early-season tree pollen that often overlaps with birch. Common in northern Europe. Levels peak in March in most regions.

The most common cause of hay fever across Europe. Peaks in June and July. Concentrations are highest in the morning and on warm, windy days.

A late-summer weed pollen common across Europe. Peaks in August. Cross-reacts with many food allergens (celery, carrots, spices).

Highly allergenic weed pollen spreading across southern and central Europe. A single plant can release a billion grains per season. Peaks in September.

Major allergen in Mediterranean countries. Peaks in May. Can cause severe symptoms in southern Europe, especially Spain, Italy, and Greece.

What the Pollen Card Shows

• Per-type severity: Each pollen type (grass, birch, alder, ragweed, mugwort, olive) gets its own severity level — None, Low, Moderate, High, or Very High.
• Overall pollen level: A combined assessment based on all active types at your location.
• Tap for detail: Tap any type to see a description of the species, its typical season, and what its current level means for outdoor activity.
• Europe only: The pollen forecast uses the Open-Meteo European pollen model. Outside Europe, the card does not appear.

Managing Training During High Pollen

• Time your runs: Pollen counts are typically lowest in the late afternoon and after rain. Early morning is often the worst, especially for grass pollen.
• Pre-medicate: Take a non-drowsy antihistamine 30–60 minutes before training on high-pollen days. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for the best option.
• Choose your route: Avoid open fields and parks with freshly cut grass during grass season. Urban streets with less vegetation can have lower concentrations.
• Post-run routine: Shower and change clothes immediately after outdoor exercise. Pollen clings to hair, skin, and fabric.
• Watch the forecast: Check Aeriqo’s pollen card before each session. If your trigger type shows High or Very High, consider an indoor workout instead.
• Nasal rinse: A saline nasal rinse after training can flush out pollen trapped in your nasal passages and reduce delayed symptoms.

Does Aeriqo show pollen data everywhere?

Pollen forecasts are currently available for European locations only. They use the Open-Meteo European pollen model, which covers six major pollen types. Outside Europe, the pollen card does not appear.

Which pollen types does Aeriqo track?

Six types: grass (Poaceae), birch (Betula), alder (Alnus), ragweed (Ambrosia), mugwort (Artemisia), and olive (Olea). These cover the most common allergens across Europe.

Can I train outdoors if one pollen type is High but the others are Low?

It depends on your personal sensitivity. If you’re allergic to the specific type showing High, you’ll likely have symptoms. If that type doesn’t trigger you, the overall exposure may be manageable. The per-type breakdown in Aeriqo helps you make this call.

Is there a safe time of day for running during pollen season?

Generally, late afternoon and evening have lower pollen counts than early morning. Rain also temporarily reduces airborne pollen. However, this varies by species and weather — grass pollen, for example, can surge on warm, windy afternoons.

Does wearing a mask help with pollen?

Yes. Unlike gases (such as ozone), pollen grains are relatively large particles. Even a simple surgical mask catches most of them. An N95 or FFP2 mask is even more effective. The trade-off is increased breathing resistance during hard efforts.