Grab the tissues: Allergy season in the South Bend area starts sooner and will run longer

With trees starting to bud and pollen counts beginning to appear in late March rather than the usual early April, Dr. James Harris, South Bend Clinic allergist, says the allergy season is starting earlier. 

His assessment comports with recent University of Michigan research that shows allergy seasons are likely to be more intense and longer as a result of higher temperatures caused by climate change.

"We are going to see a longer season," Harris said. The extended pollen season in spring may or may not be more intense, he said, but it definitely will be a longer one.

The University of Michigan study suggests by the end of this century, pollen emissions could begin 40 days earlier in the spring than they did between 1995 and 2014. That means, allergy sufferers could see that season last an additional 19 days before high pollen counts may subside.