Forecast

Unsettled weather, hot days and the grass pollen season in full swing!

On Monday, rainfall is expected in the east and west of Styria. Depending on how heavy the rain is, it may provide some short-term relief for those with pollen allergies. The rest of the first half of the week will then be mostly sunny and dry. In these weather conditions, pollen can be released unhindered, leading to moderate to high pollen counts. For the second half of the week, daily maximum temperatures of around 30 °C are forecast. The likelihood of thunderstorms is increasing. Thunderstorms with increased lightning activity can cause pollen to 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’.

Grasses continue to be the main source of allergens in the ambient air. In lowland and mountain regions, couch grass, brome grass and false oat grass, honey grass, cock's foot grass, tufted hairgrass and foxtail grass, are in bloom.

Wheat and rye continue to flower. However, as cereal pollen grains are quite large, they are not carried as far by the wind. Intensive pollen dispersal therefore only occurs in the immediate vicinity of cereal fields.

The green alder, on the other hand, only flowers above 1,000 metres above sea level. This is also where its pollen levels are highest. As soon as the sun comes out again, its pollen can be carried into the valleys and lowlands, where it can cause problems. Its pollen is of concern to people who are sensitive to birch trees.

Although lime trees and privets are still in bloom, they have already passed their peak flowering period. 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 breathing problems in sensitive individuals. For pollen allergy sufferers who react to olive trees, the privet is of significance.

The sweet chestnut is also currently in bloom in Styria and can trigger cross-reactions in people who are sensitised to beech or birch trees.

Current temperatures and rainfall are conducive to the dispersal of fungal spores, which is why allergy-relevant levels are regularly recorded at our monitoring stations. Whilst rain reduces pollen concentrations in the air, offering some relief for allergy sufferers, fungi release large quantities of spores, particularly following rainfall.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from nettles, pines, spruces, umbellifers, elderberries, lilies and cypresses is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a low allergenic risk.