The Met Office has named four UK areas that will face red warnings for very high grass pollen levels before temperatures are forecast to hit 34C. The national forecaster warns that pollen levels will remain elevated across much of England and Wales over the coming days, with grass pollen being the dominant allergen.
Red Warning Areas
The four areas under a red warning for "very high" pollen levels on Wednesday, July 8, before the expected 34C peak of the heatwave, are the East Midlands, West Midlands, London, and South East England. These regions will experience the highest pollen counts, which could trigger severe hay fever symptoms.
Additionally, nine UK areas are covered by an amber warning for "high" pollen levels on Wednesday: Grampian; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; North East England; North West England; Yorkshire and the Humber; East of England; South West England; Wales; and Northern Ireland.
Pollen and Heatwave Details
Grass pollen affects the majority of hay fever sufferers and is typically released from mid-May until July, with two distinct peaks. The first peak occurs in early July, and the second peak also occurs in early July, coinciding with the upcoming heatwave. More pollen tends to be produced when temperatures are warmer, and with peak highs of 34C expected next week, it is likely that allergies will be triggered.
Another heatwave is on its way across parts of the UK, with peak temperatures of 34C forecast on Thursday or Friday in the South East. The Met Office forecast shows high levels of grass pollen across much of central, eastern, and southern England on Saturday, July 4, leading up to the peak of the heatwave, with moderate pollen levels across northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Pollen Forecast
High grass pollen will remain throughout the weekend, particularly in western and southern regions, and this will persist into next week as temperatures heat up. Wednesday, July 8, is forecast to be the worst day for grass pollen, with high and very high levels forecast across almost the entire UK, just before the heatwave is expected to reach its peak of 34C on Thursday.
The Met Office said: "High grass pollen remains throughout the weekend across a number of western and southern regions, including Wales, the Midlands, the southwest and the southeast. Yorkshire and Humber is also expected to remain at high levels. Northern areas generally continue to experience lower pollen levels. High pollen levels persist across many southern and central parts of England at the start of next week, particularly across the Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast and the southwest. Elsewhere, moderate or low levels become more common, especially across Scotland and Northern Ireland."
Managing Hay Fever
Unfortunately, there is no cure for hay fever, which causes blocked or runny noses, headaches, sneezing, and itchy eyes, but it can be managed with small, preventive measures. This includes showering and changing clothes after going outside, keeping windows and doors closed, vacuuming regularly, wearing wraparound sunglasses, and putting Vaseline around your nose to trap pollen.
