Hey Central Texas Friends, Happy New Year… or should I say, achoo New Year? If you’re in Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere in the Hill Country, you know exactly what I’m talking about. As of early January 2026, cedar pollen counts are spiking – we’re right in the thick of it, with peaks often slamming us mid-month. Those Ashe juniper trees (the real culprits behind “mountain cedar”) are exploding with pollen, turning the air into a yellow haze and making half of us feel like we have the flu.

Runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sinus pressure that feels like your head’s in a vice, sore throat, fatigue – sound familiar? Cedar fever isn’t actually a fever (though some folks run a low-grade one), but it can wipe you out just the same. And unlike spring allergies, this one’s a winter special, running from mid-December through February or early March.

Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and staying indoors help a ton (pro tip: shower before bed to rinse off the pollen and change your pillowcase ni...