Forecast

Changeable weather leads to fluctuating pollen levels!

The new week begins in Vienna with a high probability of rain and thunderstorms. It is not until Wednesday and Thursday that the sun will shine for any length of time, before the likelihood of precipitation increases again. Should the rain be heavy, it can effectively wash the pollen out of the air and thus significantly reduce the burden on allergy sufferers. This would particularly benefit those who are sensitive to grass pollen.

From an allergological perspective, grass flowering is now the most significant factor in the capital. We are still at the start of the season, which means that mainly tufted, common, bent and foxtail grasses are responsible for pollen release. In meadows, levels can be further intensified by sorrel and plantain species that are also in bloom. 

Note: Yellow streaks are currently visible in rain puddles. This phenomenon is known as sulphur rain and is caused by pollen from conifers such as spruce, pine and fir trees. From an allergological perspective, this pollen is not relevant. However, during sunny spells, high concentrations may develop in the ambient air, which can cause mechanical irritation of the conjunctiva and the respiratory tract.

The birch flowering season is already over. Only isolated pollen grains are being recorded at monitoring stations. If any pollen levels occur at all, they are now very localised.

Concentrations of beech and oak pollen are also already declining. However, they may still lead to cross-reactions in people allergic to birch pollen.

Due to the change in weather, the flowering of the lime tree is slightly delayed. Flowering is expected to begin as soon as the weather remains dry for a longer period. As their flowers are pollinated by insects, they are usually found only in small quantities in the ambient air. Nevertheless, significant pollen concentrations may occur in the immediate vicinity, carrying the intense scent of linden blossoms into the airways of some allergy sufferers. 

The rapeseed fields in the Vienna area have already passed their peak flowering period. Allergy sufferers are nevertheless advised to continue to avoid the vicinity of these fields.

People who are sensitive to pollen from olive trees should expect symptoms in the coming days due to the flowering of the manna ash. However, the end of this high-pollen period is already in sight.

In addition to the pollen types mentioned, elder, mulberry, black locust, horse chestnut, sour grasses, legumes and cypresses are currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, they pose only a very low allergenic risk.