Forecast

A bit of rain and the pollen season drawing to a close – but fungal spores are causing problems!

On Thursday, there will be rainfall in Lower Austria, varying in intensity depending on the region. The rain will reduce pollen levels. From Friday, the weather will improve and it will remain dry but partly cloudy this weekend. The peak of the ragweed flowering season is now behind us and pollen concentrations will generally remain moderate. Most herbaceous allergenic plants, such as mugwort, grasses, stinging nettles and plantain, have already finished flowering and are now releasing only small amounts of pollen. The alternation between rain and sunshine also encourages the spread of fungal spores. People with fungal spore allergies should prepare for moderate to high levels of exposure.

Ragweed is highly allergenic. As even a few pollen grains per cubic metre are sufficient to trigger symptoms, sensitised individuals should avoid dense stands of the plant. These can be found on railway embankments, at rubbish tips, along roadsides and in soya, pumpkin and sunflower fields. On Fridays, westerly winds will prevail. These may lead to the long-distance transport of ragweed pollen from our neighbouring countries, which is relevant for allergy sufferers, and intensify local ragweed pollen levels.

On the dry days at the weekend, annual mugwort and Kachka mugwort may cause localised pollen levels. Canadian goldenrod is also in flower. For allergy sufferers who are sensitised to mugwort or ragweed, Canadian goldenrod can trigger cross-reactions. Dense stands of these four composite flowers should be avoided by sensitised individuals.

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