Forecast

The heatwave is continuing and mugwort is in bloom!

The weather forecast promises sunshine and heat for the second half of the week. These are ideal conditions for mugwort pollen dispersal. Ragweed is also beginning to flower in the east of Styria. Over the coming days, both of these composite flowers will cause moderate to high pollen levels. From Sunday, it will start to rain in the west, and this rainfall will spread to the rest of Styria at the start of the week. The rain will bring some relief to those with pollen allergies. However, for people who are sensitive to fungal spores, the rain will mean increased exposure, as fungi release more spores following rainfall.

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

In the valleys and lowlands of Styria, however, the peak of grass pollen season has already passed. Here, pollen levels are generally expected to be low. In forests and the mountainous regions of Styria, there may be locally intense grass pollen counts. Nettles, amaranths and plantains are also still in flower and contribute to pollen levels.

In eastern and southern Styria, ragweed is also growing and sprouting. The number of flowering plants is constantly increasing, meaning that localised pollen levels may begin to rise. If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, please feel free to report them via the ‘Ragweed Finder’ citizen science platform. 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 and juniper is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a low allergenic risk.