Forecast

Spring-like weather with a high pollen load due to early bloomers!

This weekend and beyond, the weather will remain sunny and dry with maximum daily temperatures between 10 and 15 °C. Allergy sufferers who are sensitised to hazel and alder must be prepared for days of intense exposure. Please take appropriate precautions before going outdoors.

In Lower Austria, grey alder and black alder are in full bloom. Pollen allergy sufferers should avoid dense stands of these early-flowering plants, which are mainly found along flowing and standing bodies of water.

In large parts of Lower Austria, hazel has already passed its peak of flowering. However, moderate to high pollen concentrations are still being reached. In the Waldviertel and at higher altitudes in the industrial and Mostviertel regions, hazel will reach the peak of its pollen release this weekend. In parks and gardens, the corkscrew hazels are in full bloom. They can increase local exposure to hazel pollen.

Hazel and alder are closely related to birch. People who are sensitised to birch can therefore experience cross-reactions. The phase of high exposure to the pollen of early bloomers will continue as long as it remains dry and sunny and will only end with extensive precipitation. Pollen allergy sufferers can significantly reduce contact with the allergen by wearing sunglasses and an FFP2 mask. Further information on avoiding allergens can be found here.

In climatically favourable locations, for example in residential areas or on sunny south-facing slopes, the first ash trees may be ready to bloom and cause initial local exposure in the coming days.

Yew, poplar, willow, elm and cypress have been detected in the pollen spectrum. In Lower Austria, the pollen load from these early bloomers is low to moderate.

From a current perspective, the data from our birch flowering readiness model indicate that it will be reached in the second half of March.

Forecast from 2026-03-05

Note: The data shown here are model data for the expected start of flowering. For more detailed information on the expected pollen count, please refer to the text forecasts.