If you live in Central Texas or have spent any amount of time there in the winter, chances are you’re familiar with cedar – otherwise known as nasty little particles that invade your sinus cavity and make their home there until spring. This year is shaping up to be the worst we’ve seen in a while, and the epidemic could spread well beyond the Hill Country. Keep scrolling to find out why it’s supposed to be so bad.

Weather experts from KXAN have reported that cedar season could potentially last until early March as opposed to the usual mid-to-late February.
Flickr/sodaigomi
Why the brutal onslaught this year? The answer lies in the warm, wet fall we experienced in 2017. Unfortunately, it created the perfect environment for trees to produce a ridiculous amount of pollen.
Flickr/mwf2005
At the peak of cedar season, it's normal to see between 5,000 and 10,000 cedar grains per cubic meter of air. This year, numbers are expected to be in the low 10,000s - so even slightly above the high end of the spectrum.
Flickr/wefi_official

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Even if you've never had a problem with cedar before, this year could leave you with an allergy. Since there's more pollen in the air, everyone's exposure is higher than ever before.
Flickr/Neal Wellons
So where did all of this cedar come from anyway? It would appear that the epidemic began in the early 19th century, when livestock overgrazed on the grass and allowed the trees to thrive with no competition.
Flickr/usfwshq
One thing's for sure - I'm stocking up on allergy medicine and not spending much time outdoors until winter is over. See y'all in the spring!
Flickr/kenlund

Have you ever had a bad experience with cedar? How has this season been treating you so far? Let us know!

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