90-degree weather worsens seasonal allergies

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A surprise end of summer warm-up has hit Chicago and it's expected to last through the weekend.

Thursday's hot weather was nothing to sneeze at, especially if you're one of the tens of thousands of people who suffer from seasonal allergies.

As summer officially comes to a close tomorrow, September feels more like July as temperatures in the Chicago area broke a record of 92-degrees set back in 1970. The high was officially 94 degrees.

This made fall seasonal allergies even worse.

Experts are warning to brace for a bad couple of days with high levels of mold spores, along with increased pollen counts, making life very uncomfortable for some.

"People with mold allergies feel stuffed up and have a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and some people have asthma and are short of breath, wheezing, coughing a lot," said Dr. Baiju Malde, an allergist.

Dr. Malde said allergy conditions are fueled by humidity and unseasonably warm conditions.

Some forecasters said although temperatures in the 90s are not unusual in September, the anticipated streak of warm days is the result of a jet stream held in place in part by Hurricane Jose which remains stalled along East Coast.

Still, despite the discomfort, most say the weather is a great way to enjoy the last hours of summer.

Autumn begins on Friday.