MARIETTA - A warm winter is sending pollen counts soaring to record levels in Georgia.

Officials say a record high pollen count of 9,369 particles of pollen per cubic meter was measured in metro Atlanta on Tuesday. That shattered Monday's level of 8,164.

This week's pollen counts are well above the old record of 6,013, which dates to April 12, 1999.

The pollen counts were measured by the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist with the clinic, tells The Marietta Daily Journal that doctors have never seen the level this high, and patients are having a lot more difficulties this year. He said health issues facing patients seen at the clinic include nasal congestion, sneezing and itching of the nose and eyes.