Hay fever sufferers are being warned to brace for one of the worst days of the week after the Met Office forecast “very high” pollen levels across 16 county-level areas in England on Friday. The latest pollen map shows the East of England and London and the South East facing very high grass pollen levels, while much of England and Wales is expected to see high concentrations.
According to the Met Office, “Friday is expected to bring some of the highest pollen levels of the forecast period.” It added: “Very high grass pollen is likely across the East Midlands and East of England, while London and the South East remain at very high levels.” The forecast warns that “high levels will continue across much of England and Wales”, while parts of central and eastern Scotland could see a temporary rise to moderate or high pollen levels. Grass pollen remains the main allergen across the UK, with smaller amounts of weed pollen also circulating. The Met Office said: “Grass pollen continues to be the dominant allergen, with some weed pollen still around.
As warmer, drier and increasingly settled weather develops through the weekend, many areas are likely to see persistent high or very high pollen levels.”
The elevated pollen counts come as settled weather returns, creating ideal conditions for pollen to spread.
The Met Office explained: “Recent warm, dry conditions with light winds are ideal for pollen to be released and carried through the air, while a lack of rainfall means it isn’t being washed away, which can make symptoms feel particularly severe.”
It added: “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.”
Conditions are expected to ease slightly in some areas on Saturday, although high grass pollen is still forecast across much of central, eastern and southern England.
Northern parts of the UK are expected to fare better, with Scotland largely remaining a low-risk area for pollen throughout the weekend, while Northern Ireland is forecast to see mostly moderate levels.