Forecast

It’s set to stay hot through the mugwort flowering season!

On Mondays and Tuesdays, it will remain hot with a high probability of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms with increased lightning activity can cause pollen grains to burst, releasing more allergens. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the airways and lead to sudden spikes in symptoms, known as ‘thunderstorm asthma’. The rest of the week will be dry and sunny with temperatures around 30 °C. Under these weather conditions, mugwort pollen will be able to spread unhindered. Moderate to high levels of fungal spores are also expected.

In eastern and southern Styria, mugwort is in full bloom. The pollen from this composite flower is highly allergenic, as just 6 to 10 pollen grains per cubic metre of air can trigger symptoms. Mugwort can form dense stands on railway embankments, rubble sites, roadsides and along streams and rivers.

In the valleys and lowlands of Styria, however, the peak of grass flowering has already passed. Low levels of pollen are generally expected here. In forests or along streams, however, isolated patches of flowering grasses may still be found, causing localised pollen levels. As long as the sun is shining, intense grass pollen dispersal may continue in the mountainous regions of Styria. If the wind is blowing in the right direction, grass pollen can be carried from there into the lowlands, increasing the local pollen count. This is particularly likely in the afternoon and evening. Nettles, sorrel and plantain are also still in flower and are contributing to the pollen count.

Ragweed is also growing and sprouting in Styria. The first plants may already be ready to flower and could therefore cause localised pollen levels to rise. If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, please feel free to report them via the citizen science platform ‘Ragweed Finder’. Reports can be submitted either via the website ragweedfinder.at or via the app (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.

People with allergies who are sensitised to fungal spores should expect moderate to high levels of exposure over the next few days. Staying at higher altitudes minimises exposure, as spore concentrations decrease with increasing altitude.

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