PollenTracker

Description

PollenTracker is a free pollen and allergy decision tool covering 800+ cities across the US, UK, and Canada, searchable by city or ZIP code. Instead of showing raw numbers like most pollen apps, it translates the data into a simple three-way answer every morning: YES (go enjoy the outdoors), CAUTION (take precautions), or NO (stay inside today).

The tool combines live data from Google's Pollen Forecast API, Google Air Quality, and OpenWeather. Its decision algorithm weights pollen severity around 60%, air quality around 30%, and weather amplifiers such as wind speed around 10%. YES corresponds to low pollen with good air quality (AQI under 50), CAUTION to medium pollen or AQI 51-100, and NO to high or very high pollen or AQI 101+. Hourly breakdowns show which hours of the day are safest to head out.

PollenTracker tracks the three main pollen types that drive most allergy seasons - tree, grass, and weed - along with mold, and references National Allergy Bureau thresholds. It also offers an interactive pollen map with city rankings, a daily email option, and practical allergy guides for parents. Built by a dad for his allergic kids, the core features are free with no login and no ads.

PollenTracker's Core Features

• Clear YES, CAUTION, or NO daily decision instead of raw numbers

• Coverage of 800+ US, UK, and Canadian cities, searchable by city or ZIP code

• Combined pollen count, air quality (AQI), and weather in one score

• Live data from Google Pollen Forecast, Google Air Quality, and OpenWeather

• Hourly breakdowns showing the safest hours to go outside

• Interactive pollen map with city rankings by risk

• Tracking of tree, grass, weed, and mold pollen with National Allergy Bureau thresholds

• Optional daily email and free access with no login or ads

How to use PollenTracker?

1. 1

   Find your city: Search for your city or ZIP code across the 800+ supported locations.

2. 2

   Check today's answer: See the clear YES, CAUTION, or NO decision for the day.

3. 3

   Review the details: Look at the pollen count, air quality, and hourly breakdown to pick the safest time to go out.

4. 4

   Compare locations: Use the pollen map and city rankings to check conditions elsewhere, such as before a trip.

5. 5

   Subscribe for daily updates: Bookmark the site or sign up for the daily email so the check happens automatically each morning.

PollenTracker's Use Cases

• Plan outdoor time for allergic kids
• Time outdoor exercise
• Prepare for a trip
• Daily hayfever check

FAQ from PollenTracker

• How does PollenTracker decide if it's safe to go outside?

  It gives a three-way decision. YES means low pollen plus good air quality (AQI under 50); CAUTION means medium pollen or AQI 51-100; NO means high or very high pollen or AQI 101+. Pollen severity is weighted about 60%, air quality 30%, and weather amplifiers 10%.

• Where does the data come from?

  PollenTracker pulls live data from Google's Pollen Forecast API, Google Air Quality, and OpenWeather, and covers 800+ cities across the US, UK, and Canada.

• What pollen types does it track?

  It tracks the three main types - tree pollen (March-May), grass pollen (May-July), and weed pollen (August-October) - plus mold, and weights the dominant type per city per day into the overall score.

• What's the difference between pollen count and air quality index?

  Pollen count measures allergen particles from plants that mainly affect allergy sufferers, while the Air Quality Index measures pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone that affect everyone. PollenTracker tracks both and factors each into the decision.

• When should I check pollen count?

  Morning (6-10 AM) is when pollen peaks, so check before opening windows. Outdoor exercise can expose you to far more pollen than indoor activity, counts drop temporarily after rain, and late afternoon (4-6 PM) is the second-best window.

• Is PollenTracker free?

  Yes. The core features - daily decisions, pollen counts, air quality, and forecasts - are free for everyone with no account required, no login, and no ads.