Finger Lake Effect Precipitation and Its Influence on Pollen Levels and Public Health

KYLIE MILLER, Jack Halberstadt, Cornell University

     Abstract Number: 518
     Working Group: Aerosol Exposure

Abstract
Finger Lake Effect precipitation events are hypothesized to locally reduce airborne pollen concentrations due to increased moisture and altered wind patterns. To investigate this relationship, we are in the process of deploying weather stations around Cayuga Lake, aimed at capturing key lake effect variables such as temperature, humidity, wind direction, and precipitation intensity. Our study will compare pollen counts in regions directly influenced by lake effect precipitation with nearby areas outside the precipitation zone, assessing how pollen levels respond to the dynamic interplay of rainfall and lake-driven winds. Pollen sampling will be conducted using a tethersonde and kitesonde (for a portable alternative) system equipped with a custom-designed pollen catcher, allowing vertical profiling of particulate concentrations before, during, and after lake effect events. In addition to quantitative measurements, a qualitative component will explore the impact on local residents through a survey assessing allergy symptoms before and after these weather events. By integrating atmospheric data with biological and human health observations, this study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how Finger Lake Effect phenomena influence air quality and public health, particularly during peak pollen seasons in the Finger Lakes region.