The Texas Allergy Calendar — Unlike Any Other State
Texas allergy season defies the standard US allergy narrative of spring and fall seasons with summer and winter relief. In Texas, there is no meaningful relief window. Cedar fever begins in December, peaks in January, and hands off to oak in March with minimal gap. Oak runs through May. Grass begins in May and runs through August. Ragweed runs August through November. By the time ragweed season ends, cedar is beginning again. For the cedar-and-oak sensitized Texan, there are literally zero allergy-free months in the calendar year.
Texas Allergy Calendar by Month
| Month | Primary Allergen | DFW | Austin | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | Mountain Cedar | Moderate | High | Low-Moderate | High |
| January | Mountain Cedar | Extreme | Extreme | Moderate | Extreme |
| February | Cedar / Elm | High | High-Extreme | Moderate | High |
| March | Oak / Elm / Cedar | Extreme | Extreme | High | Extreme |
| April | Oak | Extreme | High | High | High |
| May | Oak / Grass | High | Moderate | High | High |
| June | Bermuda Grass | High | Moderate | High | High |
| July | Grass | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| August | Ragweed begins | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| September | Ragweed | High | High | High | High |
| October | Ragweed | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| November | Brief transition | Low | Low | Low | Low |
City-by-City Texas Comparison
Dallas-Fort Worth
Gets cedar from the Hill Country on northwest winds but less directly than Austin and San Antonio. Oak season in April is genuinely the worst in the country by count in some years. Bermuda grass is severe in suburban areas. July offers the best brief respite of the year. Ragweed is significant in September.
Austin
Ground zero for cedar fever globally. Positioned in the Hill Country where cedar density is highest. January and February are the worst months for cedar. The Barton Creek greenbelt and surrounding cedar forests make outdoor activities during cedar season particularly challenging. Oak follows directly in March-April.
Houston
Receives less direct cedar pollen than Central Texas cities but still gets significant exposure on northwest winds. Oak is severe in April along with live oak. The Houston Ship Channel area has additional industrial air quality challenges that compound pollen burden. Humidity drives mold year-round.
San Antonio
Rivals Austin for cedar severity — possibly worse on peak days due to proximity to dense Hill Country cedar stands to the west. Cedar often begins in San Antonio before DFW. The oak handoff from cedar is particularly brutal in March when both overlap. Similar to Austin in seasonal profile but underreported due to smaller tech media presence.
The Texas Transplant Pattern
Texas's population growth is extraordinary — millions of people have moved to Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio from states with dramatically different allergen profiles in the past decade. The pattern is consistent: one or two manageable seasons, then sensitization develops and the third Texas season is dramatically worse. This is particularly true for cedar, which has no equivalent in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, or Midwest where many Texas transplants originate.
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Anthos provides general wellness information only. Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making health decisions.