Forecast

The heatwave is reaching its peak and the grass pollen season is in full swing!

The weather forecast predicts sunny, dry and hot weather in Styria for the second half of the week. The heatwave will reach its peak on Saturday and Sunday, with maximum daily temperatures expected to exceed 35 °C. Under these weather conditions, pollen dispersal will proceed unhindered and moderate to high pollen levels are to be expected. With these high temperatures, ground-level ozone levels will rise, particularly in urban areas. Ozone can exacerbate the effects of pollen.

The main flowering period for grasses is now in the mountainous regions of Styria. Unfortunately, even a walk in the woods no longer offers any relief to people who are sensitive to grasses, as forest grasses are now beginning to flower. In the lowlands and valleys, grass pollen concentrations are falling slightly and will fluctuate between moderate and high levels over the coming days. Currently, from the mountains down to the lowlands, finger millet, couch grass, brome grass, as well as meadow grass, reed grass, rye grass, dogtail grass, cock's foot grass and foxtail grass are in bloom. Particularly in the afternoons, symptom-triggering quantities of grass pollen can be carried from the mountainous regions down to the lowlands and valley areas, intensifying the local pollen load. Sorrel and plantain species also continue to flower and may exacerbate the pollen load.

Note: During thunderstorms with increased lightning activity, pollen grains can burst open. This can release large quantities of the allergen into the air and lead to very sudden spikes in pollen levels, known as ‘thunderstorm asthma’.

In their range above 1,000 metres above sea level, only a few green alders are still in flower. People with allergies who are sensitised to birch trees should continue to avoid the immediate vicinity of these alders whilst on a mountain hike.

In Styria, the sweet chestnut blossom is still in full swing and may trigger cross-reactions in people who are sensitised to beech or birch plants.

Linden and privet are still in full bloom at higher altitudes, whilst in valleys and low-lying areas they are already finishing flowering. As they rely on pollination by insects, their pollen is rarely found in the ambient air. The intense floral scent of the lime tree can trigger respiratory problems in sensitive individuals. People with pollen allergies who react to olive trees should avoid the immediate vicinity of privet hedges.

Allergy-relevant levels of fungal spores have been recorded at our monitoring stations. The hot, dry weather is dampening the spread of fungal spores somewhat, as fungi release more spores following rainfall.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from nettle plants, umbellifers, tree of heaven, elder, spruce, pine, rhododendron, grapevine and cypresses is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.