Forecast

It’s still hot and the grass pollen is still in the air!

The heatwave from the weekend is set to continue into the start of the new week. It is only towards the middle of the week that we may see a slight drop in temperature and the odd heat-induced thunderstorm.

If the thunderstorms are accompanied by increased lightning activity, pollen levels may, contrary to expectations, actually rise. In this phenomenon, known as thunderstorm asthma, pollen grains burst open, releasing vast quantities of free allergens into the air.

Consequently, people who are sensitive to grass pollen may suffer from severe symptoms even when pollen concentrations are only moderate.
In general, it is likely that grass pollen levels in Burgenland – particularly along riverbanks or in woodlands – may still be high.

In meadow areas, additional exposure from sorrel, foxtail plants and plantain is to be expected.

The flowering of sweet chestnuts is already almost over, but may still cause low levels of exposure in the immediate vicinity for people who are sensitised to beech or birch, triggering cross-reactions.

In addition, people who are sensitive to olive tree pollen should also expect low levels of local exposure to privet pollen in the air.

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. However, it will still be a few weeks before the plants are in full bloom across the board. Locally, however, minor allergic symptoms may already occur.

The warm, humid weather conditions are leading to a rise in the concentration of fungal spores in the ambient air and, consequently, to a higher level of exposure for those with allergies. 

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, nettle plants, sour grasses, grapevines and cypress trees is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.