Forecast

Mugwort pollen levels are rising, whilst grass pollen levels have fallen significantly!

As we head into the weekend, it’s getting warmer and the sun is making more frequent appearances. However, rainfall and, in some places, thunderstorms may occur across the country over the coming days, providing some relief, at least in the short term. Otherwise, allergy sufferers should expect high levels of mugwort and grass pollen, as well as fungal spores.

Grass pollen continues to cause low to moderate levels of exposure. However, there is no end in sight to these levels, as the grass species found in forests or along riverbanks 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 symptoms are to be expected from sorrel, goosefoot plants and plantain.

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.

Ragweed is also growing and sprouting; it will not flower until well into August. If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, you are welcome 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 sightings to take further action.

Due to weather conditions and the fact that mowing is 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.