Forecast

The first peak in mugwort flowering is expected this weekend!

In Burgenland, the calm high-pressure weather will continue to show itself at its best over the coming days: the sun will shine continuously up to and including Sunday, with temperatures climbing to between 31 and 36 degrees Celsius by the weekend. It is not until Monday that clouds will roll in, bringing the possibility of rain showers and thunderstorms, after which the heat will ease off temporarily. Allergy sufferers should therefore prepare for days with high levels of mugwort and ragweed pollen, as well as fungal spores. In the region around Lake Neusiedl, grass pollen concentrations in the ambient air may occasionally still reach significant levels.

The grass flowering season is now drawing to a close in Burgenland as well, and is generally causing only low levels of pollen in the ambient air. As a late-flowering member of the sweet grasses, reed may cause a further rise in pollen levels around Lake Neusiedl in the coming weeks.
Pollen from sorrel, amaranths and plantain is still present in the air and may exacerbate symptoms for allergy sufferers.

We are now in the middle of the herb pollen season, which will reach its first peak in the coming days with the first peak in mugwort pollen levels, in line with the long-term average. The plant is mainly found in areas heavily influenced by human activity and, unlike most Asteraceae, 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 Burgenland, the populations are already well established and are currently causing moderate to high levels of pollen exposure, which are increasingly originating from local stands. However, a considerable proportion of the measured concentrations is also attributable to long-range 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. As ragweed and mugwort belong to the same family (Asteraceae), cross-reactions may also occur.

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 reviewed 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 sightings 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 cypress trees is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.