Forecast

Mugwort and ragweed are releasing pollen and causing problems!

According to the weather forecast, the weather in Styria will remain changeable until Saturday. Temperatures of around 30 °C are expected once again in southern and eastern Styria on Friday. Before that, comparatively cooler days with recurring rain showers are on the way. As soon as the rainfall eases off and temperatures rise again, an increase in allergy symptoms is to be expected, particularly due to mugwort and ragweed pollen. On Thursday and Friday, Styria will again experience an episode of Saharan dust. This dust can irritate the mucous membranes and conjunctiva and intensify the pollen burden.

At present, the pollen mix in southern and eastern Styria is dominated primarily by mugwort and ragweed pollen. Although pollen from neighbouring countries is also carried in by long-distance wind currents in the early morning and evening hours, the highest levels of mugwort and ragweed pollen are expected around midday and in the afternoon.

If you spot ragweed whilst out and about, you can report the plant via the Ragweed Finder app or at ragweedfinder.at, thereby informing the relevant authorities in the federal states about the presence of this invasive plant.

Grass pollen continues to be detected, albeit only in small quantities. Along the banks of standing and flowing water bodies, reeds are already beginning to flower in isolated patches. People with allergies who are sensitised to grasses should bear this in mind when out for a walk.

Plantain and nettle pollen are also currently being detected at our monitoring stations. The plants are in flower in meadows and along roadsides. Pollen from the goosefoot family is also frequently being recorded at present. 

Due to the damp weather over the last few days, an increase in fungal spores is also expected again in the coming days.

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