Forecast

Start of the week with thunder and lightning, thunderstorm asthma possible!

After the sunny weekend, the week begins with thunderstorms. Thunderstorm asthma (thunderstorm asthma) can occur before thunderstorms. This increased burden for pollen allergy sufferers is caused by the bursting of pollen grains shortly before thunderstorms, which means that there is more allergen in the ambient air. As soon as it rains, pollen and allergens are washed out of the air again. It should then remain sunny until the middle of the week and the pollen load will rise again to a moderate level. After precipitation, the load of fungal spores also increases and can reach a high level.

Grasses continue to be prominent in the ambient air. A large number of grasses, including grasshoppers, couch grass, tufted grass, crested grass, riding grass, foxtail grass and ryegrass, are currently present in Vorarlberg.

Dock and plantain are also flowering and can cause additional problems near meadows. Stinging nettles also bloom and their pollen can irritate sensitised people.

Lime trees bloom in avenues, parks and forests. Its pollen is hardly relevant from an allergological point of view, but the scent of its flowers can cause irritation in sensitive people.

In its sub-alpine distribution area, the number of flowering green alders is steadily decreasing, but it is not over yet. People who are sensitised to birch plants must continue to expect exposure when hiking in the Vorarlberg Alps. From today's perspective, it is not to be expected that green alder pollen will be transported to the lowlands in relevant quantities.

The flowering of the privet has passed its peak. It is important for allergy sufferers who are sensitised to olive trees. This white-flowering ornamental shrub is pollinated by insects and therefore only produces small amounts of pollen. Nevertheless, sensitised people should avoid direct contact.

The tree of heaven, which originates from Asia, has started to flower in parks and gardens. It is insect-pollinated, but its pollen is still frequently found in the air. Not much is yet known about its allergenic potential, but allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

Fungal spores are expected in moderate to high concentrations in the ambient air in the coming days.

Other types of pollen present in the ambient air include goosefoot, buttercups, cloves, sour grasses, vines and cypresses.