Pollen release in the spring is of interest to botanists as well as to medical personnel specializing in the treatment of allergies. Several plant species of interior Alaska -- particularly spruce and birch -- release pollen that greatly aggravate pulmonary conditions such as asthma. Daily concentrations of pollen for four species commonly found in the Alaska interior were gathered during 23 seasons. The data of pollen concentration and pertinent weather parameters during the 12 months prior to pollen release have been analyzed to determne the effect of weather on the timing and the magnitude of pollen release.
The results thus far suggest that several aspects of weather are important to the timing and magnitude of pollen release around Fairbanks. First, the weather during the previous growing season has signifcant effects on the health of plants and trees at the beginning of winter and, in turn, upon the potential magnitude of pollen release. Second, the weather during the late winter and in the month prior to pollen release is an important determining factor of the time of pollen release. Third, the weather during the two days prior to pollen release affects both the timing and magnitude of pollen release.