Forecast

Mugwort pollen levels are rising; grass pollen season has passed its peak

The weather forecast for the coming days promises mild temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius and plenty of sunshine. Rain and thunderstorms are also expected in the west and south of the country. It is not until the weekend that temperatures are expected to rise again and bring even more sunshine. Allergy sufferers should be prepared for symptoms when engaging in outdoor activities, which are mainly caused by mugwort or grass pollen, or by fungal spores following rainfall.

Grass pollen continues to cause symptoms. However, the peak of this pollen surge has already passed in the lowlands. An end to the symptoms is not yet in sight, though, as the grass species found in forests or along green spaces are still in bloom.
In large parts of the country, maize is also already in flower and may cause symptoms in people who are sensitised to grass pollen.
Maize pollen, like the pollen of other cereal crops, cannot be carried very far by the wind and therefore causes significant concentrations in the air, particularly in the immediate vicinity of fields.

Along the edges of paths and roads, additional pollen exposure from sorrel, goosefoot plants and plantain is to be expected.

In the east of the country, the first mild symptoms may occur due to the start of the mugwort flowering season. In the south and west of Austria, the plants are not yet sufficiently developed to release large amounts of pollen.

Due to weather conditions and the mowing still taking place in many areas, high levels of fungal spores in the ambient air are to be expected in the coming days.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, nettles, sour grasses, legumes, grapevines and cypresses is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.