Spring has arrived in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, and with it comes a pollen cocktail that's hitting transplants and longtime residents alike with a vengeance. Newcomers from the Pacific Northwest are reporting something unexpected: instead of the classic runny-nose-and-sneezing combo they're used to, Bay Area pollen is going straight for the lungs. Think persistent coughs, chest tightness, mild shortness of breath — symptoms that send people Googling "do I have asthma now" at 2 a.m.

The culprit? The Bay Area's diverse and frankly aggressive tree canopy. Species like coast live oaks, acacias, and various ornamental trees planted across the region pump out pollen that triggers lower-respiratory symptoms in people who've never had breathing issues before. Add in the region's microclimates — where one block is foggy and the next is bathed in sunshine and airborne particulates — and you've got an allergen obstacle course.

As one Bay Area resident put it: "I've lived here 12 years and this is the first year I've really been bothered. I feel like it's worse than usual." And the anecdotal evidence lines up — warmer, wetter winters tend to supercharge pollen production the following spring.

Here's the thing nobody at City Hall is going to tell you: San Francisco and surrounding municipalities have spent decades planting ornamental trees with little regard for their allergenic properties. It's a minor but real example of municipal planning that prioritizes aesthetics over livability. Some cities around the country have started adopting low-allergen landscaping guidelines. The Bay Area? Not so much.

In the meantime, your options are pretty much the same as they've always been: antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, keeping windows closed on high-pollen days, and suffering with dignity. Welcome to spring in the Bay. Your lungs will adjust — probably.

If you're a newcomer wondering whether this is normal: yes. If you're a veteran wondering whether it's getting worse: also probably yes. Stock up on Flonase and godspeed.