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The predicted severity of pollen levels across the UK has been ranked for 2024, with hayfever sufferers learning their fate this summer.
Collaborating with the University of Worcester, the Met Office considered a range of factors when predicting these levels, with much depending on how much pollen has formed on the plants and the weather at the time of release.
There are around one in five people with hay fever across the country, which could leave millions of Britons suffering from uncomfortable symptoms like watering eyes and runny noses.
Fortunately, keeping a “keen eye” on the pollen forecast could help minimise your discomfort. Yolanda Clewlow, the Met Office’s relationships manager for health and air quality and the UK pollen forecast manager, said: “The first thing to do is to make sure you understand the type of pollen you’re allergic to and monitor the forecast.
“That way, you know when the very high days of pollen are coming and you can take precautions to try and avoid the pollen. It’s not possible to avoid it altogether though so for some, it’s about taking that preventative medication and planning your day to try and avoid being out in the pollen at the peak times.”
Most people tend to be allergic to grass pollen, which is generally high around mid-May to July. But the grass pollen season could kick off early this year, with some pollen being released from late April onwards.
Clewlow added: “Average severity is most likely, but this will largely depend on the weather in April and early May. Warm sunshine and some rain is needed for good grass growth and pollen production. Dry conditions would inhibit growth.”
The whole pollen season generally has three main pollen-type phases:
- Tree pollen – late March to mid-May
- Grass pollen – mid-May to July
- Weed pollen – end of June to September
The first of the three seasons – tree pollen – could already be causing sore eyes and itching around the country.
Clewlow said: “In terms of birch pollen, we are seeing the first grains in the atmosphere in the most southerly and easterly counties but overall, there’s currently generally low levels for tree pollen due to changeable conditions. We expect the season to be of mild to average severity depending on in-season weather.”
What’s worse, high pollen levels can be dangerous for some people, including those suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pesky airborne substance could trigger symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing or wheezing.
Emma Rubach, the Head of Health Advice at Asthma + Lung UK, warned it could even lead to hospitalisation or a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
She said: “To protect themselves, we would advise people with hay fever to use their preventer inhaler every day as prescribed, if they have one, and always have their reliever inhaler with them, in case symptoms do arise.
“If you’re allergic to pollen, using steroid nasal spray every day can also help, together with non-drowsy antihistamine tablets to help reduce the allergic reaction. It is also a good idea to check pollen and air pollution forecasts in their local area, so they can avoid going outdoors as much as possible on high pollen days.”
You can see the full Met Office’s Pollen calendar by clicking here.
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