Forecast

Rain brings relief, but when the sun shines, the grasses cause problems!

This year’s above-average levels of tree pollen in Carinthia have now come to an end. Birch, hop hornbeam, oak and beech have finished pollinating, and only small, allergenically insignificant residual amounts of pollen are likely to be released.

Following the tree pollen season, the grass flowering season is now beginning. In addition to the low-growing grass species of rough pastures, the widespread and tall grass species of hay meadows are now also coming into flower and may increasingly be responsible for levels exceeding the irritation threshold. Following the rainfall forecast for Friday and Saturday, the allergic burden from grass pollen is expected to rise sharply at the start of the new week.

In addition to grasses, increased pollen is also being released due to the flowering of ribwort plantain and meadow sorrel. Particularly in the immediate vicinity of meadow sites, increased pollen dispersal from these two plants may be responsible for allergic irritation.

The highest pollen levels from grasses, plantain and sorrel occur from late morning onwards. Pollen levels are lowest in the late evening and early morning hours.

The strikingly high pollen count from spruce and Scots pine will continue at moderate levels during the forecast period and will continue to cause yellow-coloured pollen deposits. Although these two types of pollen can be a nuisance, they are not of any allergological significance.

Dr Helmut Zwander