When a yellow sheen coats every available outdoor surface, it’s obvious that pollen is in the air. Even as the pine pollen is washed away, the spring allergy season is not over, as some may have noticed for the last few days.

According to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, tree pollen peaked in the first two weeks of April. Now, it’s the grasses and weeds that are releasing pollen across the state. In its Wednesday pollen report, DAQ ranks grasses and weeds pollen as “high,” with grass pollen falling at 402 grains on the high category scale of 61-600, and weeds at 309 on a scale of 121-1,200 grains. The measurements were taken at DAQ’s only pollen monitor, located at the Laboratory Analysis Branch in Raleigh.

Pollen is slightly different farther east, however.

According to Accuweather’s allergy tracker, tree and grass pollen levels are higher than normal in the area and Weather.com ranks Thursday as having a “very high” grass pollen count — which could impact those with breathing difficulties — and again Saturday through Tuesday.

In springtime, oak is the top tree-allergy pollen producer, said DAQ’s Tom Mather in a past interview.

“Oak in the spring; ragweed in the fall,” Mather said.

He said allergies tend to worsen on sunny days, when pollen is released and has nowhere to go but “be blown around.” The worst time to be out and allergic is early morning, but people can take limited precautions.

“The most obvious thing would be to avoid the pollen, particularly in the early mornings,” Mather said. “Things like mowing the lawn … some people will actually wear a face mask.”