Forecast

Heat and rain, as well as exposure to grasses, fungal spores and, in some areas, the first mugwort of the season!

Monday gets off to a sunny start in Styria with just a few harmless cumulus clouds, and daytime highs reaching up to 33 degrees. On Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms return amid persistent muggy conditions, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 31 degrees. Wednesday will also bring humid, unsettled summer weather with a mix of sun, clouds and thunderstorms. On Thursday, the sun will break through again and it will become hot once more – though isolated thunderstorms over the mountains remain possible.

Grasses – main source of pollen in the lowlands and mountainous regions: Grasses continue to release pollen in the lowlands, though concentrations generally remain at moderate levels. However, along streams and rivers and in forests, they may release pollen at higher levels in some areas, leading to high pollen counts. The peak of grass flowering is now in the mountainous regions of Styria. Under favourable wind conditions, grass pollen is carried from there into the valleys and lowlands, further increasing local pollen levels. Sorrel and plantain are also still in flower and are contributing to pollen levels.

Maize – exposure only near fields: Maize has begun to flower in the areas where it is grown. Maize pollen grains are among the largest in the plant kingdom. Due to their size and comparatively high weight, they are only carried over short distances. Elevated pollen concentrations are therefore to be expected primarily in the immediate vicinity of flowering maize fields.

Mugwort – the herb pollen season begins in ruderal habitats: Particular attention should be paid to mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) at this time of year. In ruderal habitats – that is, on rubbish tips, railway embankments, roadsides, wasteland, gravel pits and other fallow areas – mugwort has begun to flower in many places. The number of flowering plants is steadily increasing, although it will still take a few days before widespread flowering begins. Unlike grasses, whose pollen originates mainly from higher altitudes, mugwort pollen is a particular problem in the lowlands and urban fringe areas of Styria. Particularly affected are the ruderal areas along the River Mur, the railway lines in the Mürz Valley, the industrial and commercial estates around Graz and Leibnitz, and the wasteland on the outskirts of built-up areas. Mugwort pollen is highly allergenic – even concentrations of 10 to 20 pollen grains per cubic metre of air can trigger significant symptoms in sensitised individuals. Plants that are already flowering can cause the first significant levels of exposure locally. Cross-reactions with celery, carrots, chamomile and other composite flowers are common and should be taken seriously by those affected.

Fungal spores – levels rising: People with allergies who are sensitised to fungal spores should expect moderate to high levels of exposure in the coming days. Large quantities of fungal spores are stirred up, particularly during the threshing of cereals. Spore concentrations also rise significantly after rainfall – Cladosporium and Alternaria, in particular, release their spores at a higher rate at such times. Relief can be found by spending time at higher altitudes, as fungal spore levels decrease significantly with increasing altitude.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, nettle family plants, umbellifers, acid grasses, legumes and juniper is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.

Recommendations for allergy sufferers: Given the summer heat and the moderate to high pollen levels, it is recommended that outdoor sport and physical activities be scheduled for the early morning or late evening – experience shows that pollen concentrations are at their lowest at these times. People with mugwort allergies should take particular care in ruderal areas: railway embankments, rubble sites, roadsides and wasteland should be avoided, as significant amounts of pollen are already being released there. Wearing sunglasses, rinsing your hair in the evening and changing your clothes after spending time outdoors can help to reduce pollen exposure.

Warning regarding ozone and thunderstorm asthma: Given the forecast heat, concentrations of ground-level ozone may rise, causing further irritation to the airways. As thunderstorms approach – as forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday – pollen, particularly that from grasses and mugwort, is torn apart by strong downdrafts (downbursts) and fragmented into extremely fine particles small enough to enter the lungs, which can penetrate deep into the airways. This can lead to sudden, severe asthma attacks in people with pollen allergies – even those who have not previously had asthma. People with a known history of asthma or hay fever are strongly advised to seek shelter indoors when thunderstorms are approaching and to keep their emergency medication to hand.