Forecast

Thunderstorms and heat as well as continued exposure to grasses and fungal spores!!!

Some thunderstorms are expected from Bregenz to Graz in the second half of the week. In eastern Austria, however, it will remain dry and hot. After precipitation, the concentrations of fungal spores can rise sharply and lead to intensive contamination. The grasses are usually only moderately affected.

During thunderstorms, sudden changes in humidity and air pressure can cause pollen grains to burst open. The resulting particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs. This can trigger severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks - a phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma. Even though rain usually brings short-term relief, allergy sufferers should stay indoors during thunderstorms and keep the windows closed to minimise the risk.

The flowering of grasses is progressing so that they can also be found in forests and at altitudes above 1500 metres. Sensitised people must therefore be prepared for exposure during a walk in the forest or a mountain hike. In the lowlands, the mass dusting of grasses is over, but moderate pollen concentrations can still be reached.

Particularly on hot days, increased concentrations of dock and plantain pollen can occur, which can cause additional stress. Stinging nettles are also in bloom; their pollen can irritate sensitised people.

The first flowering specimens of mugwort have already been sighted. However, it will be another one to two weeks before the flowers are in full bloom. Allergy sufferers who are sensitised to mugwort should avoid typical locations with dense stands, for example dry grassland, field edges or next to road verges.

The tree of heaven, an insect-pollinated neophyte, blooms in the lowlands. At the moment we regularly find its pollen in our monitoring stations, so it is present in relevant quantities in the ambient air. Not much is yet known about its allergenic potential, but allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

Privet can also be important for people who are sensitised to olive tree pollen. Its blossom is slowly coming to an end. Sensitised people should avoid the immediate vicinity of this white-flowering ornamental shrub.

In the coming days, we expect fungal spore concentrations in lowlands and valleys to fluctuate between moderate and high. People who are sensitised to fungal sp ores should avoid the vicinity of grain fields that are currently being threshed. During threshing, large quantities of fungal spores are released into the ambient air. A sharp increase in fungal spore concentrations is also possible after precipitation.

Other types of pollen detected in the ambient air are umbellifers, goosefoot and buttercup plants, clove plants and cypress plants. These are of minor allergological significance.