Pollen, Air Quality & Soil Temperature Outlook

After a week of steady rain and cool temperatures, Rowan County’s air and soil are entering one of their cleanest and calmest periods of the fall season.

Pollen

The rain over the past several days has helped wash ragweed and other allergens out of the air. With cooler temperatures in place, pollen levels are expected to remain very low through the weekend and into early November. Trees and grasses are dormant, so unless we see a warm spell next week, allergy sufferers can expect one of the most comfortable stretches of the season.

Air Quality

Air quality will stay in the good to moderate range over the next few days. A few early mornings could bring patchy fog that temporarily lowers visibility and slightly raises particulate readings, but no widespread air quality issues are expected.

Soil Temperature

With afternoon highs in the upper 50s to near 60 and overnight lows in the 30s and 40s, soil temperatures are trending toward the upper 40s across Rowan County. That’s the point where fall plant growth begins to slow and soil organisms shift into their cooler-season cycle. It’s also when mushroom growth peaks before tapering off in November.

This stretch of calm weather provides a break for both the atmosphere and the ground — a sign that the season is steadily transitioning toward late fall.