Households across the UK are being urged to keep windows and doors closed until 8pm in the evening over the coming days as grass pollen levels spike. A bout of warm and humid weather will sweep much of the country this week, reaching highs of up to 32°C in the south of England on Sunday and potentially hitting 33°C on Monday.
Heatwave and Pollen Surge
The Met Office said temperatures are forecast to slowly climb towards the weekend, with conditions becoming very warm more widely, particularly in southern and eastern areas. The hot weather coincides with a spike in grass pollen levels across the UK, with levels gradually rising in line with temperatures.
The Met Office forecast shows red 'very high' grass pollen levels in the East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England on Friday, with these warnings extending to more areas in the following days. By Monday, every area of England except the North East is covered by a red grass pollen warning, as well as Wales, Northern Ireland and Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders in Scotland.
Health Advice
As there is no cure for hay fever, the best way to minimise symptoms is through small, preventative measures, which includes keeping windows closed, particularly in the evening. Health experts recommend keeping windows and doors closed even if temperatures are warm, so it is good practice to wait until at least 8pm before opening windows to allow cooler air in, as this will minimise the amount of pollen that blows into your home.
NHS King's College Hospital says that pollen peaks in the early morning and in the evening from 5pm to 8pm "as the pollen in the air descends to nose level with afternoon air-cooling". In its guidance, it said: "When is the pollen count high? This depends on a number of factors:"
- Pollination season: Trees – highest during March; Grass – peak June/July; Moulds – May to October.
- Time of day: Early morning when pollen is first shed; Evening (5pm to 8pm) as the pollen descends.
- Weather: Dry conditions; Thunderstorms can dramatically raise pollen count by causing grains or spores to burst in huge numbers.
Benefits of Keeping Windows Closed
While it is not always possible to avoid the pollen peaks, a good general rule is to keep windows and doors closed when the pollen count is high, generally until 8pm, as this helps reduce allergens drifting into your home. This can lead to a better night's sleep, as breathing in pollen overnight can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing that can linger into the morning.
Shutting windows and doors not only prevents airborne pollen from drifting into your bedroom and settling on bedding, which can make sleep difficult, but it also helps keep rooms cooler as hot air from outside cannot get in. The Met Office added: "Stay cool indoors: Close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler. Counter intuitively, closing doors and windows in the heat of the day can keep it cooler inside."
