Forecast

High levels of grass and fungal spores – mugwort is already making an appearance too!

Today, Monday 13 July 2026, it will remain mainly sunny and hot in Burgenland, with maximum daytime temperatures of around 32 to 34 degrees. On Tuesday, the midsummer weather will continue, with the air becoming increasingly muggy. On Wednesday, the risk of thunderstorms will increase – even in Burgenland, there may be some heavy showers and thunderstorms. On Thursday, 16 July, the weather will gradually settle down, the clouds will thin out and the sun will break through again. However, thunderstorms are still expected in some areas.

Allergy sufferers in Burgenland should prepare for persistently high pollen levels over the coming days. The heat encourages the release of grass pollen, whilst thunderstorms can cause the concentration of fungal spores in the air to rise sharply.

At present, smooth oatgrass, mouse-ear barley, ryegrass, tufted grass, foxtail and meadow grass, as well as brome grass, are responsible for the pollen currently being detected. The main flowering season for grasses has now shifted from open green spaces to forests, areas near river courses and higher low-mountain regions. In the lowlands, the main flowering season for grasses is largely over, but moderate to high concentrations are still being recorded at higher altitudes.

In meadow areas, additional exposure to sorrel and plantain is possible.

In some regions of Burgenland, maize fields have already begun to flower. Maize is a member of the sweet grass family and can therefore trigger symptoms in sensitised individuals. However, maize pollen is very large and, like the pollen of other cereal crops, cannot be carried very far by the wind. It therefore causes significant concentrations in the air, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the fields.

Significant amounts of pollen in the air are now also to be expected near rye fields. This may therefore lead to additional exposure in the vicinity of the growing areas. However, as rye pollen is quite large, it is not carried as far by the wind as the pollen of its naturally occurring relatives.

In locations with particularly favourable climatic conditions, the first flowering mugwort plants have already been spotted. This marks the start of the herb pollen season locally. It will probably take until the end of July for the plants to flower across the board. Locally, however, there may already be low levels of allergic exposure.

Regionally, people who are sensitised to the pollen of the olive family may have to expect low concentrations of olive pollen in the air.

Linden blossom is resulting in measurable concentrations at monitoring stations. As the flowers of this plant are adapted to insect pollination, they are generally quite rare in the air. However, the scent of the blossoms may irritate the airways of sensitive individuals.

The tree of heaven, which is found in nutrient-poor and dry locations – such as railway embankments or wasteland – may already be releasing pollen. This is a neophyte from Asia which is spreading as an invasive species in temperate or Mediterranean climate zones. Allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

In addition to grasses, fungal spores are now also causing moderate to high levels of spore concentration in the ambient air. The warm, humid weather and the forecast thunderstorms – particularly on Wednesday – may cause spore levels to rise even further in the short term. People who are sensitive to fungal spores should expect particularly high levels of exposure, especially after rainfall.

In addition to the pollen types mentioned, stinging nettles, elder, black locust, sour grasses, legumes and cypresses are also currently present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.

Recommendations for people with allergies: Given the persistently high temperatures and moderate to high pollen and spore levels, it is recommended that outdoor physical activities be postponed until the early morning or late evening, when pollen concentrations are generally lower. After a thunderstorm, people with spore allergies should avoid spending time outdoors for a few hours. Wearing sunglasses and rinsing your hair in the evening can also help to reduce exposure to pollen.

Warning regarding ozone and thunderstorm asthma: As thunderstorms approach, ground-level ozone concentrations may rise briefly, which can further irritate the airways. Furthermore, strong downdrafts (downbursts) can tear pollen apart and fragment it into extremely fine particles small enough to enter the lungs, which can penetrate deep into the airways. This can lead to sudden, severe asthma attacks in people with pollen allergies – even those who have not previously had asthma. People with a known history of asthma or hay fever are strongly advised to seek shelter indoors when thunderstorms are approaching and to keep their emergency medication to hand.