Forecast

The heatwave is continuing and the grass is causing problems!

The second half of the week will remain sunny, dry and hot, with maximum daytime temperatures of around 35 °C. Moderate to high pollen levels are expected over the coming days. From Sunday afternoon, the likelihood of thunderstorms will increase, and the start of next week is set to be rainy. For those with pollen allergies, this will bring some relief, provided the rainfall is substantial.

In Vorarlberg, grasses are still releasing pollen, although the main flowering activity has shifted to alpine pastures and mountain meadows. A wide variety of different grasses are in bloom. These include finger millet, couch grass, brome grass, as well as meadow grass, reed grass, rye grass, dogtail grass, cock's foot grass and foxtail grass. Unfortunately, a walk in the woods offers no relief to people who are sensitive to grasses, as the forest grasses are now also beginning to flower. Particularly in the afternoon, when wind conditions are favourable, symptom-triggering levels of grass pollen can be carried from mountainous regions down into the lowlands and valleys. Sorrel and plantain species also continue to flower and can exacerbate pollen levels.

Note: During thunderstorms with increased lightning activity, pollen grains can burst open. This can release large quantities of the allergen into the air and lead to very sudden spikes in pollen levels, known as ‘thunderstorm asthma’.

At higher altitudes, only a few green alder trees remain in flower. For people with pollen allergies who are sensitised to birch trees, the green alder is of particular relevance as cross-reactions may occur. This group of people should avoid the immediate vicinity of these alders whilst hiking in the mountains.

Sweet chestnut and privet continue to flower in the built-up areas of Vorarlberg. Sweet chestnut can trigger cross-reactions in people who are sensitised to beech or birch trees. Privet, a popular hedge shrub, is of significance to people with pollen allergies who react to olive trees and can cause symptoms in the immediate vicinity.

In the valleys, the lime trees have largely finished flowering, whilst in higher-altitude locations, flowering specimens can still be found. As their flowers are adapted to insect pollination, their pollen is rarely found in the air. However, their floral scent can irritate the airways of sensitive individuals.

Fungal spores are already present in the ambient air in allergy-triggering quantities. Fungi release spores more readily, particularly after rainfall, which can cause a sharp short-term rise in spore levels.

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