Forecast

Sunshine, fungal spores, grass pollen in the air and flowering mugwort!

It will be sunny and dry in the first half of the week, with temperatures around 25 °C. Moderate pollen levels are expected in the lowlands of Vorarlberg. The rainfall at the weekend has boosted fungal spore production, so allergy sufferers who are sensitive to spores should prepare for moderate to high levels. 

In the valleys, the grasses have already passed their peak flowering period. Moderate levels of pollen are generally expected here. However, there may still be locally intense pollen dispersal along streams or in forests. The main focus of grass flowering is now on the alpine pastures and mountain meadows in the Bregenzerwald, the Montafon and the Arlberg. Depending on wind patterns, symptom-triggering levels of grass pollen may be carried into the valleys and low-lying areas, further increasing local pollen levels there. This is particularly likely during the afternoon and evening hours. Sorrel and plantain are also still in flower and are contributing further to pollen levels.

Common mugwort has now begun to flower. Dense stands grow on railway embankments, rubble sites, roadsides and along the Rhine and the Ill. Its pollen is highly allergenic, which is why people with sensitivities should avoid the locations mentioned. For this group of allergy sufferers, cross-reactions to celery, carrots and chamomile may occur.

Maize is flowering in the growing regions. Its pollen is heavy and does not travel very far. Consequently, high pollen counts occur only in the immediate vicinity of the fields.

Fungal spores, particularly Cladosporium and Alternaria, are causing moderate to high levels of exposure. Very high concentrations of fungal spores can be released, particularly in the vicinity of fields where harvesting is taking place. At higher altitudes, exposure levels are lower.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, nettle family plants, umbellifers, amaranth family plants, sour grasses, legumes and juniper is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a low allergenic risk.