Maine’s Allergy Season Just Got Longer

Let’s put it this way, most Mainers are ready for Spring at this point, since Winter feels like it’s 100 years. We are almost there, all the signs are here, the birds, Ken’s Place is open and Giffords is scooping up ice cream.

But with Spring also comes the dreaded allergy.

At a freshly minted 40 years old, I have discovered the joy of developing late-in-life allergies, because I guess, your immune system likes to keep you on your toes as you get older.

Seems like it was just yesterday I was blissfully sneezing only when the sun was too bright, and now, spring is approaching, the trees will bud and my eyes will itch terribly.  

How Long Is Spring in Maine?

According to WGME Meterologists, Maine’s growing allergy season is actually stretching longer saying, “What used to be a short burst of sneezing and itchy eyes is quietly turning into a months-long struggle. “  

Since 1970, Portland, Maine’s freeze-free growing season has expanded by about 16 days. This gives plants an extra two weeks each year to flourish. The more time to grow means pollen is hitting the air earlier and staying longer.

Making the dreaded allergy season stretch longer.  

CBS 13 ARC explains more about why spring and allergies are evolving below

Climate change isn’t really helping much either, due to the higher carbon dioxide levels actually boosting pollen production in grasses and ragweed, as per the report.

Rainfall and warmer temperatures also are a factor to are longer Springs and more pollen.

So, while everyone else is enjoying the blooms of Spring, many of us will be stockpiling tissues and antihistamines.  

However, many of us would rather sneeze and carry those cute tiny tissue packs rather then shovel 82 inches of snow. You win some, you lose some. Welcome to Maine.  

Maine’s allergy season is officially evolving. And for those of us hitting the big 40, it’s just another reminder that life has a strange way of keeping things interesting… one sneeze at a time.