Forecast

Heat and high grass pollen levels!

The weather will remain sunny and hot this week too, meaning we can expect high pollen counts. However, the likelihood of thunderstorms remains quite high, particularly at the start of the week. Depending on how heavy the rainfall is, this may provide some relief. Conversely, increased lightning activity may lead to severe symptoms of thunderstorm asthma.

Grass pollen remains the main cause of the current allergic symptoms, particularly that from the currently flowering species such as couch grass, brome grass, sweet vernal grass, tufted hairgrass, meadow grass, horse tail grass, crested dog’s-tail, tufted dog’s-tail and foxtail. In some areas, mowing of certain meadows is already underway. This may lead to short-term spikes in pollen levels in the immediate vicinity. Subsequently, there may be some relief in certain regions.
In meadow areas, additional pollen exposure from sorrel and plantain is also possible.

Regionally, people who are sensitised to pollen from the olive family should possibly expect low concentrations of olive and privet pollen in the air.

Sweet chestnut trees are also in flower and may trigger cross-reactions in people sensitised to beech or birch pollen in the surrounding area.

The tree of heaven has finished flowering. This is a neophyte from Asia that spreads in nutrient-poor and dry habitats (such as railway embankments or wasteland). Allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

In locations with particularly favourable climatic conditions, the first flowering specimens of mugwort have already been spotted. This marks the start of the herb pollen season in some areas. However, it will still be a few weeks before the plants are in full bloom across the board. Locally, however, there may already be low levels of allergic exposure.

Current weather conditions are conducive to the production and release of fungal spores. These have now reached moderate to high concentrations in the ambient air and can cause significant symptoms in people with allergies.

In addition to the pollen types mentioned, bee balm, nettles, acid grasses, legumes, grapevine and cypresses are also currently present in the pollen spectrum. However, they pose only a very low allergenic risk.