Pollen API
Built for allergy, health and weather apps
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Allergy apps: Let users pick the species they react to and follow their outlook for the coming days.
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Weather apps: Add pollen next to the forecast so users can plan their day around both the weather and their allergies.
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Pollen alerts: Notify users when a species they follow is forecast to reach a high level, and use the hourly forecast to tell them when.
Pollen API at a glance
The Cirrus plan includes Pollen API. Explore the included features below.
Pollen types
Alder, birch, grass, mugwort, olive, ragweed.
Values
Concentration in grains/m³ and a pollen level from 0 to 4 for each type.
Hourly forecast
Up to 85 hours ahead (24 by default).
Daily forecast
Up to 4 days ahead (3 by default).
Coverage
All European countries, within 25°W–45°E and 30°N–72°N. Parts of neighbouring countries inside this area are covered too.
Resolution
11 km grid.
Method
Numerical modelling and observational data.
Format
REST API, JSON. Query by coordinates or Foreca location ID.
How your app gets the data
What it works best for
Combine with air quality
What the pollen levels mean
Pollen level thresholds (grains/m³)
| Level | Alder, birch, olive | Grass, ragweed | Mugwort |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - No pollen or very little | below 0.2 | below 0.2 | below 0.2 |
| 1 - Low | below 10 | below 10 | below 10 |
| 2 - Moderate | below 100 | below 30 | below 50 |
| 3 - High | up to 500 | up to 100 | up to 100 |
| 4 - Very high | above 500 | above 100 | above 100 |
Pollen API FAQ
Does pollen level 0 mean there is no pollen in the air?
No. Level 0 means there is very little pollen, below 0.2 grains/m³, which is not the same as none. If your app needs to tell the two apart, use the concentration, which comes with every level.
Why can the forecast show pollen before local plants are in flower?
Pollen can travel 500 to 1,000 km on the wind. Pollen from further south can arrive before local trees and grasses flower, and the forecast includes it.
Are the Canary Islands, the Azores and Greenland covered?
No. They are outside the coverage area, as are other remote islands far from the European mainland, so pollen forecasts are not available there. Islands close to the mainland are covered.
How precise is the forecast for a single address?
The forecast gives the value for the grid cell around the coordinates, so nearby addresses often get the same forecast. A single local source, such as a birch tree next to a house, does not show in the forecast.
How should my app present pollen levels?
As a general indication. Reactions to pollen vary greatly by person, species and location, so let users choose the species they react to and consider showing the concentration next to the level.
Can I show the hourly forecast in my users' local time?
Yes. Give a time zone name from the IANA time zone database, such as Europe/Helsinki, and the hourly forecast times are returned in that time zone. The daily forecast is given as dates.
Can I request a single pollen species, such as birch?
Every forecast step returns all six species, each with a level and a concentration. Your app can then show only the species each user follows.
I only need pollen maps. Which plan do I need?
The Stratus plan. It includes Weather Maps with every map layer, so you get all six pollen maps plus radar, satellite, precipitation, temperature, wind, air quality and the other weather layers. Stratus also includes Point Forecasts and Air Quality data. Pollen Forecasts for single locations, as hourly and daily data, are included from the Cirrus plan.