Pollen Levels Rise in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Grass and tree pollen are at moderate to high levels in several South African cities, with mould peaks recorded in Cape Town.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Allergies
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Pollen levels are moderate to high in Cape Town and moderate in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein, according to a monitoring station's sampling week. Elevated concentrations could trigger allergy symptoms in Cape Town and Johannesburg in the coming week.
Why it matters
Pollen concentrations at these levels can aggravate allergies and asthma for residents who are sensitive to grass, tree, or mould spores. Readers in South Africa who manage seasonal allergies may need to take precautions during the coming week.
The figures are qualitative category ratings from a monitoring station rather than numerical counts. The source gives no exact pollen concentrations, and it does not say how long the elevated levels will last.
The details
Grass pollen is moderate to high in Cape Town and moderate in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein, while Johannesburg also records high tree pollen. Alternaria, an allergenic mould, showed strong peaks in Cape Town throughout the sampling week, while levels remained low in Durban, Gqeberha, George, and Potchefstroom.
Timeline
Coming week from 7 November 2026: elevated pollen could worsen allergy symptoms in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Sampling week before publication: Alternaria mould peaks were recorded in Cape Town.
Following a recent public holiday: the Kimberley pollen analysis was delayed.
Seasonal Patterns
Weekly city-level pollen ratings from South African monitoring stations allow residents to track seasonal allergy risk as grass and tree pollen concentrations shift across regions. This week's readings place Cape Town and Johannesburg at the higher end of the moderate-to-high range while most other cities remain low.
People with grass, tree, or mould allergies in Cape Town and Johannesburg should consider limiting outdoor exposure and keeping windows closed during the coming week. Those with asthma should keep relevant medication accessible while pollen levels remain elevated.
The takeaway
Checking weekly pollen ratings for your city can help you plan outdoor activity and medication use before symptoms begin. Residents in higher-rated areas may find it useful to start precautions early in the week.
Further reading
For more on seasonal triggers, see Allergies coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The South African.
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