As spring approaches, so does the familiar chorus of sneezes and sniffles that comes with seasonal allergies.

But for some Utahns, this allergy season could be worse than usual.

Allergies affect more than 100 million people in the U.S. each year, including about a quarter of adults, with many triggered by seasonal pollen, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

In the group’s annual “Allergy Capitals” report, which ranks the 100 largest U.S. cities based on how challenging they are for people with pollen allergies, three Utah cities landed in the top 20.

Provo ranked No. 4, Ogden came in at No. 8 and Salt Lake City placed No. 13 — making Utah the only state with three cities among the 20 most difficult places to live with seasonal pollen allergies.

This year, Boise, Idaho, ranked the worst, followed by San Diego and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The rankings mark a major shift from previous years, when cities across much of the West typically ranked among the least challenging places to live for people with allergies. This year, however, the list includes a mix of Western, Midwestern and Eastern cities.

In 2025, the same three Utah cities came in at the bottom of the list, with Ogden at No. 92, followed by Provo at No. 94 and the capital city at No. 99.

What caused the shakeup?

The report says climate change may be driving that change.

Rainstorms, warmer temperatures and drought conditions can trigger more pollen spikes and extend pollen seasons in the West, it says.

And as temperatures rise, plants produce more pollen and urban areas trap heat and air pollution — conditions that can make allergy seasons longer and symptoms more severe, according to the foundation.

In addition to pollen levels, the foundation also considers the number of allergy specialists in an area and the use of over-the-counter allergy medications when determining its rankings.

In Ogden, for example, there were fewer allergy specialists than in previous years, which contributed to the jump.

And in all three cities, tree pollen started earlier, grass pollen lasted longer and weed pollen began earlier, lasted longer and reached higher peaks.

The report is based on pollen data from the previous year, and in 2025, unusually warm weather caused Utah’s snowpack to melt early, prompting trees to release pollen sooner than expected, the report says.

That early bloom coincided with a heat wave and minimal precipitation, leading Gov. Spencer Cox to declare a drought emergency by April.

While drought doesn’t make plants produce more pollen, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation says it allows the pollen that is produced to linger longer. Without rain to wash it from the air, pollen levels can remain high for days. Combined with high temperatures and wind, pollen stayed airborne longer than it would in a more humid climate.

What to expect this year?

Utah is also coming off an unseasonably warm winter.

Dr. Tara Sarin, an allergist at Allergy Associates of Utah, said the combination of warmer temperatures and a low snowpack make it likely that Utah will face another long pollen season this year.

Those conditions are “why you’re already seeing pollen counts that are starting to trend upwards and higher than they have been in the past,” Sarin said Thursday.

In December, a high-pressure system lingered over the southern U.S. for much of the month, keeping Utah and much of the West warmer than usual while allowing occasional Pacific storms to move through, bringing rain to the valleys and snow to the mountains.

The warmer temperatures also tricked some plants into blooming early.

Because some trees began pollinating in December, Sarin said, it “likely means that this year will probably be pretty significant for people” with allergies.

In prior years, the 2026 report says, allergy capitals were concentrated in the southeastern U.S. because those cities have warmer, more humid climates that support pollen production.

Mitigating symptoms

For those trying to stay ahead of pollen season, Sarin recommends checking daily pollen counts before going outside and taking precautions during outdoor activities, such as wearing a mask while mowing the lawn or gardening.

After coming inside, she said, changing clothes, showering and washing hands can help reduce exposure. Keeping windows closed and running an air purifier can also limit pollen indoors, and over-the-counter nasal sprays or antihistamines often ease symptoms.

For those still struggling, a doctor or allergist can advise on prescription options or allergy shots.

“Utah is such a beautiful state, and people really enjoy being outdoors here,” Sarin said. “And so — whatever we can do to try to make sure that you are able to do the activities or the things that you enjoy doing.”

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