Forecast

Ragweed and fungal spores are the main allergens!

An easterly wind current will prevail on Thursday. This may result in an increased long-distance transport of ragweed pollen to Lower Austria. There will be widespread rain on Friday evening, providing short-term relief for allergy sufferers. The rest of the weekend will remain sunny and dry. In these conditions, pollen and fungal spores can fly unhindered

In Lower Austria, the ragweed blossom, also known as mugwort or ragweed, is progressing. ragweed is continuing to progress. The Marchfeld and the lowlands of the industrial district are particularly badly affected. Dense populations occur here, which can lead to very high levels of contamination. The pollen of this composite plant contains highly allergenic proteins. A pollen concentration of just ten pollen grains per cubic metre of air can trigger allergic symptoms. On Thursday, wind directions from the east are particularly prevalent. This means that ragweed pollen is transported from heavily affected regions to less affected regions and can cause problems there.

If you discover ragweed populations during outdoor activities, you are welcome to report them via the citizen science platform "Ragweed Finder". Reports can be made either via the website ragweedfinder.at or via app (for Android and iOS). They are checked by experts from the "Ragweed Finder" team, displayed graphically on the ragweed map and forwarded to the relevant authorities in the federal states at regular intervals. They can then use the reports to take further action.

Mugwort continues to flower until the end of September, and only low concentrations have been detected at our monitoring sites in recent days. Mugwort grows on dry grassland and in places that have been heavily influenced by humans, for example on the edges of fields or paths and on rubble heaps. Dense stands can thrive here, which locally ensure a high pollen load.

The Canadian goldenrod is currently flowering and dusting in Lower Austria. The pollen of this yellow-flowering composite plant can lead to cross-reactions in people who are sensitised to mugwort or ragweed and cause them additional stress.

In the lowlands, higher altitudes and forests, grasses still occasionally bloom. In most cases, however, they are only slightly harmful. Dock, nettle and plantain are also still in flower. They can cause additional pollution.

In the coming days, the concentrations of fungal spores in the ambient air will reach a moderate to high level. After precipitation, the concentration of fungal spores in the ambient air can reach a high level very quickly. At higher altitudes and above the tree line, the levels of fungal spores are noticeably lower.

Pollen from umbellifers, hemp, balsam, goosefoot and cypress plants have also been detected in the ambient air. These are of minor allergological significance.