English

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Etymology

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Modeled after polar vortex.

Noun

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pollen vortex (plural pollen vortexes or pollen vortices)

  1. (uncommon) An unusually high concentration of pollen in the air over a relatively short period of time. [from 2014]
    • 2014 April 17, “Now a 'Pollen Vortex'? Wild Weather May Mean Allergy Nightmare”, in NBC News[1], archived from the original on 2024-04-25:
      If the constant cold weren’t enough, a brutal winter has many speculating that the polar vortex will be replaced by a “pollen vortex,” leaving allergy sufferers sniffling and miserable.
    • 2014 April 21, Bahar Gholipour, “'Pollen Vortex'? Long Winter Worsens Allergies in Spring”, in Live Science[2], archived from the original on 2024-04-25:
    • 2015 April 10, “Allergy Season 2015: Jury Still Out On So-Called Pollen Vortex”, in ABC News[3], archived from the original on 2024-04-25:
      A "pollen vortex" was thought to succeed the "polar vortex" of 2014, but a study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology last fall declared that it didn't happen. In Ontario, Canada, pollen counts were actually lower than they'd been in 12 years, the researchers concluded.
    • 2018 April 22, “Local allergist says pollen vortex is on the way due to weather”, in WSBT-TV[4], archived from the original on 2024-04-25:
      As it warms up, expect everything to bloom at once, creating what allergists call a pollen vortex.
    • 2021 March 26, Jeffrey Kopman, “What Is a Pollen Vortex?”, in The Weather Channel[5], archived from the original on 2024-04-25:
      Despite a rough beginning, this season might not continue to be so brutal, and the pollen vortex could soon become a distant memory. For now, pollen counts remain high, and people who want help with their symptoms should go see an allergist.