Hay fever sufferers have been warned to expect “very high” levels of pollen in some parts of the UK, as the Met Office launched its national forecast on Thursday. Predictions showed high pollen across the North, East and South of England, rising to very high levels in the North West, West Midlands and Wales.
Parts of Scotland were also due to experience high levels, with only Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands and Eilean Siar, and Northern Ireland due to having low pollen. The five-day forecast showed pollen levels were due to fall as the weekend arrives before reaching low levels across the UK on Monday.
The Met Office combines weather data with expertise from organisations, including the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit, to produce its pollen count predictions.
Experts have predicted a “more severe” season for tree pollen this spring.
Met Office health and air quality manager Yolanda Clewlow said early clues from atmospheric monitoring and last year’s weather patterns suggested “we will have a significantly high birch pollen season”.
Leading pollen forecaster Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, an expert at the University of Worcester who informs Met Office predictions, said warmer weather last June would be expected to fuel pollen production.
She added: “In June of the previous summer, birch pollen is set in the buds and when June is warmer, there tends to be an increased amount of pollen produced.
“Increasingly warmer June temperatures are occurring due to climate change, and the effect is particularly affecting the central regions of the UK.”
Hay fever patients have been urged to take medication and other simple steps to minimise exposure.
Charity Allergy UK’s head of clinical services, Amena Warner, said: “Hay fever is often associated with other allergic conditions such as asthma, which can complicate management and increase health risks.
“The symptoms of Hay fever can also affect sleep quality – and we know that sustained periods of poor sleep can also increase risks of other illnesses too.”
