Allergy sufferers can breathe a sigh of relief today since record-setting pollen counts, causing itchy noses and watery eyes across the region, are predicted to dip to lower levels with expected rainfall.
"I can't breathe or taste my food," said Kauri Tallant, a Chattanooga resident. "I have never had allergies this bad ... I will be thankful for the rain."
Overnight and today, showers are expected to improve air quality significantly, said Greg Cole, a spokesman for the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn. Winds also may pick up to 10 miles an hour, he said.
"Rainfall and wind will pretty much clean the air up pretty good," Mr. Cole said. "Anytime the pollutants go down, it has got to be better for people."
But experts say the respite from allergens will be short lived, and pollen counts likely will rise back to higher levels by Thursday.
People with allergies "should take advantage of the cloudy day outside," said Bob Colby, director of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.
Nearly two weeks ago, pollen counts reached a record high in Chattanooga at 7,036 pollen grains per cubic meter of air. Since then counts have tapered off to around 2,000 to 2,500, records show.
The Air Pollution Control Bureau rates as "extremely heavy" any counts above 120 grains per cubic meter.
Stephanie Milsap, a 26-year-old who works in North Georgia, said this year's high pollen counts have made it hard to enjoy the warm, sunny weather.
"I can be outside, but that's when I start to get symptoms. I am not comfortable. My eyes start to hurt," Ms. Milsap said. "If I am not having symptoms tomorrow, I may exercise outside, go for a walk. I will probably enjoy work a lot more."
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