Forecast

Mugwort and maize are in bloom in Carinthia!

Grass pollen counts in Carinthia’s valleys and basins are now only likely to cause allergic symptoms in a few localised areas. Locations where elevated grass pollen counts are still to be expected include hay meadows, stream banks, clear-cut areas and forest tracks. On alpine pastures above 1,500 metres, grass pollen levels significant enough to cause allergic reactions may still occur for a few hours during spells of fine weather. Urban areas are only very marginally affected by this locally elevated grass pollen count.

People who are sensitive to grass pollen should be mindful of flowering maize fields. Maize pollen is among the largest in the plant kingdom and can only be carried by the wind over short distances – therefore, higher levels of maize pollen are only found in the immediate vicinity of maize crops.

Pointed plantain flowers on rough pastures, whilst broad-leaved plantain flowers on well-trodden grasslands. As a result, high levels of plantain pollen may be present in specific localities.

Mugwort pollen is becoming increasingly significant. After grass pollen and that of the birch family, mugwort pollen is the third most significant type of pollen for people with pollen allergies. Large stands of mugwort can form, particularly on overgrown and unmown fallow land. High levels of mugwort pollen are already expected in the vicinity of these sites during the forecast period.

On roadsides in eastern and central Carinthia that are exposed to high levels of sunlight, individual ragweed plants may already be beginning to release pollen. This low level of ragweed pollen, which is occurring only locally, is not yet of any significance in terms of allergies.

Dr Helmut Zwander