The University of Tulsa

2010-2011 Mountain Cedar Pollen Forecasts

LONG DISTANCE TRANSPORT

Pollen from mountain cedar populations in southern Oklahoma and Texas is capable of traveling long distances over short periods of time along prevailing winds. Pollen from populations in the Edwards Plateau can be carried to Dallas, Tulsa, or even further north. Research in our lab has focused on identifying the meteorological conditions that are associated with long distance transport. Generally, pollen is transported on days that are warm and sunny with southerly winds. Our forecasts have been developed to provide an alert for patients sensitive to mountain cedar pollen. We will be offering forecasts at least three days a week during December and January. Forecasts are developed using the HY-SPLIT trajectory model, which comes from NOAA's Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in Silver Spring, Maryland. On days when pollen is forecast for a particular area, sensitive individuals may wish to limit outdoor activities or take other measures suggested by their physician.

Questions: Aerobiology Lab e-mail: pollen@utulsa.edu

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