The Met Office has issued a 'very high' pollen alert for Liverpool, warning that levels will remain elevated for the next five days as the UK prepares for an extreme heatwave. The red alert indicates that grass pollen, the primary cause of hay fever this time of year, will be particularly intense, with weed pollen also present at lower levels.
Pollen Forecast and Health Advice
The pollen forecast for Liverpool across the next five days remains 'very high', prompting advice from the Met Office for people to avoid being outside entirely or seek shade between 11am and 3pm. The UV index is expected to reach 8 to 10, adding to the discomfort for hay fever sufferers. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy eyes, mouth, and throat.
The Met Office stated: 'For most hay fever sufferers, the worst conditions are warm, dry and breezy days. These allow pollen to be released easily and spread efficiently through the atmosphere. Calm, dry days can also lead to high levels locally, as pollen accumulates near the source.'
Ideal Conditions for Pollen Release
Recent warm, dry conditions with light winds have created an ideal environment for pollen to be released and carried through the air. A lack of rainfall means pollen is not being washed away, potentially making symptoms feel particularly severe. Spells of rainfall with sunshine over the past few weeks have also provided optimal growing conditions for grass and weeds, contributing to the high pollen levels.
Heatwave Intensifies
The high pollen alert coincides with a forecast of extremely warm temperatures across the UK next week. The Met Office has expanded an amber extreme heat warning from Monday until Thursday, sparking health alerts and concerns for vulnerable people. Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: 'It's a very unusual, very rare spell of very hot weather, so it's one of those ones where people should take care, try to keep their houses as cool as possible, check in on those that are vulnerable, so the very young and very old, in particular, are more vulnerable to extreme heat.'
Tips for Hay Fever Sufferers
The NHS recommends several measures to relieve hay fever symptoms, including applying Vaseline around the nostrils to trap pollen, wearing sunglasses to prevent pollen from entering the eyes and nose, and showering and changing clothes after being outdoors. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so sufferers are advised to consult a pharmacist about non-drowsy alternatives. The combination of high pollen and extreme heat is expected to persist until at least Thursday, with health officials urging caution.
