Forecast

Changeable weather brings the heatwave to an end; mugwort and ragweed are in bloom!

At the start of the week, there will be widespread rain across the whole of Styria. The rain washes the pollen out of the air, bringing relief to allergy sufferers. For those allergic to fungal spores, however, the rainfall means a significant burden, as fungi release more spores following rainfall. During sunny spells, pollen counts from mugwort and ragweed may pick up again.

In eastern and southern Styria, mugwort and ragweed are currently in bloom. The pollen from these composite flowers is highly allergenic, as just six to ten pollen grains per cubic metre of air can trigger symptoms. Both plants form dense stands on railway embankments, rubbish tips, roadsides and along streams and rivers. Ragweed can also form dense stands in soya, pumpkin and sunflower fields.

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 (available for Android and iOS). The reports are checked 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 reports to take further action.

In large parts of Styria, the grass pollen season has already come to an end, so only low levels of pollen are expected. In forests and mountainous regions, however, some grasses may still be flowering and causing high levels of grass pollen locally. Nettles, foxtail plants and plantains are also still in flower and contribute to pollen levels.

Fungal spores are released in greater quantities, particularly after rainfall. In the coming days, people who are sensitive to fungal spores should therefore expect moderate to high levels of exposure. At higher altitudes, exposure levels are lower.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, hops, hemp and juniper is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a low allergenic risk.