A lot of us have seen it in recent days - that yellow haze that seems to have cast an allergenic dome over the Carolinas.

Pollen creates a layer of haze over the Triangle. Photo: Ann Boyd - sent through Report It on jshu.net
Pollen creates a layer of haze over the Triangle. Photo: Ann Boyd - sent through Report It on jshu.net (© WRAL)

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I even jokingly posted an "accumulation" map more than a week ago about it.

But is it really that yellow stuff that's making you sneeze, wheeze and have a headache?

The short answer: no.

According to experts at North Carolina State University, that same yellow pine pollen that has coated almost everything recently is too large of a grain to be allergenic.

The yellow pollen that coats everything isn't the cause for your allergic reactions.
The yellow pollen that coats everything isn't the cause for your allergic reactions. (© WRAL)

Rather, it's pollen on other trees that causes the allergic reactions that we all love to (and rightfully so) complain about.

As of March 21, we were actually off to our fifth-lowest start to the tree pollen season. The Southeast Regional Climate Center attributes that to a cold January.

The pollen season was off to its 5th-lowest start as of March 21, according to the Southeastern Regional Climate Center
The pollen season was off to its 5th-lowest start as of March 21, according to the Southeastern Regional Climate Center (© WRAL)

Now that "the pollening" has begun, it's still got a while to go.

On average, the peak tree pollen season goes through April. It's not until May that it starts to subside, and grass pollen starts to take its place.

Tree pollen peaks in April.
Tree pollen peaks in April. (© WRAL)

If you're looking for a daily pollen count, the source we use daily is the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Have pictures or videos of the yellow haze or dusting where you are?

Sent those to use through WRAL ReportIt!