Forecast

Fine weather with a high alder and hazel load!

The sunny and mild weather will continue until the weekend and even beyond. Under these ideal conditions, the pollen count continues to be dominated by hazel and alder. For pollen allergy sufferers who are sensitised to these early bloomers, the phase of high exposure continues. Please take appropriate precautions before going outdoors.

The grey and black alders are in full bloom in the Mur-Mürz furrow and the lowlands of eastern and southern Styria. Dense stands, such as those found in floodplains or along standing water, should be avoided.

In Graz, the tree hazels and the first shrub hazels are shedding their catkins. In the lowlands of Styria, the hazel has also already passed its flowering peak. However, moderate to high pollen concentrations can still be expected, as the hazels will reach the peak of their pollen release at higher altitudes this weekend. In parks and gardens, 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 examples of allergen avoidance 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 Styria, 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 this will be reached in the second half of March.

Forecast date: 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.