Forecast

Peak levels of mugwort and rising ragweed pollen levels!

In line with the long-term average, the peak of mugwort flowering is expected again this year in mid-August. In the east of the country, significant ragweed pollen levels are also to be expected. The weather will play its part across the whole country, except on Sunday. On Sunday, a cold front will bring rain and thunderstorms from Vorarlberg to Styria, providing some short-term relief.

Grass pollen season is now drawing to a close across the whole country and is generally causing only low levels of pollen in the ambient air. However, pollen from sorrel, amaranth and plantain can still be found in the air and may further exacerbate symptoms for allergy sufferers.

We are now in the middle of the herb pollen season, which will reach another peak in the coming days with the first peak in mugwort pollen levels. The plant is mainly found in areas heavily influenced by human activity and, unlike most composite flowers, is predominantly wind-pollinated.

Ragweed is also one of the predominantly wind-pollinated Asteraceae and can trigger significant allergic reactions even at low concentrations. In the east of the country, moderate levels are now being recorded, increasingly originating from local populations. However, a significant proportion of the measured concentrations is also attributable to long-distance transport from neighbouring countries to the east. As winds from the east are expected to continue over the coming days, ragweed pollen levels are likely to remain moderate to high.

If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, please feel free to report them via the ‘Ragweed Finder’ citizen science platform. Reports can be submitted either via the website ragweedfinder.at or via the app (for Android and iOS). The reports are checked by experts from the “Ragweed Finder” team, plotted on the ragweed map and forwarded at regular intervals to the relevant authorities in the federal states. These authorities can then use the reports to take further action.

Concentrations of fungal spores in the ambient air remain at high levels.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from stinging nettles, hemp, carnations and cypresses is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.