Forecast

Thunderstorms on Monday – ragweed is the main allergen in the air!

Thunderstorms and rainfall are likely on Monday, particularly in southern Burgenland. Thunderstorms with increased lightning activity can cause pollen to burst open, releasing more allergens. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the airways and lead to sudden spikes in allergen levels, known as ‘thunderstorm asthma’. There is hardly any rainfall in sight for the rest of the week, so allergy sufferers must prepare for persistently high pollen levels. Ragweed is the main culprit in Burgenland, but mugwort may also contribute to significant pollen counts in some areas.

Ragweed flowering, on the other hand, is already in full swing and is causing high, and locally even very high, pollen levels throughout Burgenland. Ragweed releases its pollen mainly during the morning hours. Winds from the west to north-west will dominate throughout the week. As a result, there is little likelihood of ragweed pollen being carried in from neighbouring countries to the east.

If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, you can report the plant via the Ragweed Finder app or at ragweedfinder.at, thereby informing the relevant authorities in the federal states about the presence of this invasive plant.

We have already passed the first peak of the mugwort pollen season. However, moderate to high pollen levels are still possible in the vicinity of large stands. The first flowering specimens of annual mugwort have already been spotted. It usually reaches its peak flowering period in the first half of September.

The grass pollen season is drawing to a close. Significant levels of pollen are now only to be expected in isolated cases, for example near the reed beds around Lake Neusiedl. There, pollen levels may rise again in the first half of September. However, pollen from foxtail grasses and plantain can still be found in the air and may further exacerbate symptoms for allergy sufferers.

Monday’s rainfall is promoting the release of fungal spores, which can also cause severe symptoms.

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.