Posted: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 10:11 AM - 9,405 Readers

By: Claire Osborn

Sneezing today, freezing tomorrow.

Austinites suffering from the highest cedar pollen counts in seven years could get some temporary relief tonight when a Pacific cold front moves through the area, bringing rain that should wash the pollen out of the air, according to the National Weather Service.

The front is expected to hit town about 6 p.m., the service said. About an inch of rain is expected in most places, and temperatures in the upper 30s are forecast for early Sunday morning, the service said.

Friday's cedar count was 6,996 grains per cubic meter, the highest count since Jan. 6, 2004, when the pollen count was 9,026 grains per cubic meter, said Mark Murray, a meteorologist with KVUE-TV. Pollen counts are expected to remain high today until the front moves in, forecasters said.

But the cedar reprieve will probably only last until Monday, when a dry arctic cold front blows in and drives the pollen count back up, Murray said.

"The winds and low humidity behind the cold front early next week are perfect conditions for cedar to climb right back up into the medium or high count," Murray said.

High temperatures in the 40s are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with a drop into the 20s Tuesday night, the service said.

Temperatures are expected to rise starting Thursday, and high temperatures in the 60s are forecast for Friday.

No ice is expected with the arctic front, forecasters said.

But ice is the only thing that could bring allergy sufferers total relief because it destroys cedar pollen, said Dr. Paul Vigo, an allergist with the Allergy and Asthma Consultants in Austin.

Vigo said doctors in his office had to turn away 20 new patients suffering from cedar Friday because their schedule was already full.

The trees thrived on the rains early last year, and the sunny days and dry, windy cold fronts this winter "are the perfect conditions for trees to give off a lot of pollen," said Bob Rose, a meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Cedar season usually lasts until the middle of February, Vigo said.

*  Story Contributed by: Claire Osborn