Experts say this allergy season one of the longest

MADISON (AP) -- Hang on to your tissues. Experts in Wisconsin say this allergy season will be one of the longest.

Dr. Mark Moss at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health says the allergy season began about two to three weeks early. The mild winter and unseasonably warm spring temperatures caused trees to bud and bloom and release pollen and mold much earlier.

Dr. Steve Kagen, of the Kagen Allergy Clinic in Appleton, says the early presence of ragweed pollen is blindsiding many allergy sufferers. Kagen tells The Reporter the short growing season for grass caused hardy weeds to take over. And recent storms compounded the mold spore count, which can cause asthma attacks and sinus headaches