Get a tissue. Allergies expected to worsen in Des Moines.

If you're feeling stuffed up, you're not alone — pollen counts have been high in Des Moines, and they're expected to worsen next week.

The big picture: It's not unusual for weed pollen to spike this time of year, causing fatigue, itchy eyes, sneezing and scratchy throats.

• But a stretch of hot days without enough rain to wash pollen grains out of the air is creating a "perfect storm" prolonging severe symptoms.

By the numbers: While we're currently at medium-high pollen levels, The Weather Channel forecasts that pollen will be high in Des Moines between Sept. 15-17.

Yes, but: Relief is coming. Fall allergy season typically tapers when frost arrives in late October or early November.

Zoom out: Worsening allergy seasons are a concern nationwide. NOAA researchers are developing a new pollen forecasting model, the first of its kind for a federal agency.