Forecast

Unstable weather is set to replace the heatwave!

The weather forecast predicts more unsettled conditions for the second half of the week than in recent days. Whilst it will cool down noticeably compared to the start of the week, temperatures will still remain well above 30 degrees Celsius in some areas. The expected rainfall is likely to lead to high levels of fungal spores, whilst pollen release will be suppressed, at least in the short term. Grass pollen now poses only a minimal risk across the whole country. Due to the dry conditions, a second flowering is not currently expected. However, mugwort flowering is imminent in large parts of the country.

Meanwhile, even along riverbanks and in forests, only low to moderate levels of grass pollen are now expected, and maize flowering has already finished in many places.

Along paths and roadsides, additional pollen levels from sorrel, goosefoot plants and plantain are to be expected.

In eastern Austria, an increasing number of mugwort plants are reaching flowering stage and may already be causing significant pollen levels in the immediate vicinity. The plant is found there primarily in heavily human-impacted locations such as building sites or rubble heaps. Mugwort pollen levels usually reach their first peak in mid-August.

The ragweed pollen season is also just around the corner. In the east of the country, the first low levels of pollen have already been recorded, though it will still be some time before flowering begins on a large scale.

If you spot ragweed populations whilst out and about, please feel free to report them via the citizen science platform ‘Ragweed Finder’. 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.

Rainfall promotes the release of fungal spores, particularly those of the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium and Helminthosporium.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from stinging nettles, hemp, carnations and cypresses is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.