Forecast

Ash and birch pollen will lead to severe allergic symptoms over the course of the week!

After several days of rainfall, some of it intense, which has significantly restricted the release of pollen in large parts of the country, the weather is set to improve in the coming days, which may bring temperatures of up to 20 °C as well as numerous hours of sunshine. As a result, pollen allergy sufferers are likely to experience a significant increase in stress over the course of the week.

In the east of the country, birch pollen allergy sufferers in particular must be prepared for the first peak in pollen count, as the catkins of many birch trees are already ready to bloom and can release a lot of pollen under these ideal conditions. Although the catkin population of most plants can be described as below average and a weak birch year is expected this year due to the biennial rhythm, allergy sufferers must be prepared for high to very high levels of exposure. Many birch trees are also already in bloom in western Austria, but from today's perspective, a peak in exposure is not expected in the next few days.

In addition to birch, ash is currently responsible for relevant pollen concentrations in the ambient air and can continue to lead to moderate to high levels of pollution throughout Austria.

Hornbeam pollen grains are also already being recorded at many measuring points and can cause additional stress for many allergy sufferers who are sensitized to birch pollen due to cross-reactions.

The flowering of hazel and alder is already over in most parts of the country. Only at higher altitudes can there still be relevant pollen concentrations and the associated exposure in the immediate vicinity of these plants.

Other types of pollen in the ambient air: maple, yew, poplar, rose, elm, willow and cypress. These are of minor allergological importance.

The Vienna City Marathon is taking place this weekend!

From a current perspective, very high concentrations of birch pollen and moderate to high concentrations of ash pollen are expected in the air over the weekend. All participants who suffer from a pollen allergy are advised to only take part in the run after consulting a doctor and to take the necessary safety precautions. The Austrian Pollen Information Service team will be sending out regular information in the coming days and recommends that all participants who suffer from a pollen allergy also regularly consult the allergy risk on polleninformation.at or in the Pollen+ app. There you will find hourly and location-specific information about the expected exposure.