Households are being urged to think twice before hanging washing outside on Saturday as soaring pollen levels combine with another day of intense heat across the UK. With temperatures expected to remain high over several days, people are advised to take sensible precautions in the heat, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day, and checking on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. The Met Office has also said that pollen levels are also expected to be high or very high in some areas.
Four areas are forecast to experience very high pollen levels, with North West England, the West Midlands, Wales and South West England all expected to see very high grass and weed pollen counts. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland, Strathclyde, Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, and London and South East England are all forecast to experience high pollen levels.
Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. It cannot be cured, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms, or medicines you can take to help.
The NHS has warned that during periods of high pollen, there are several things people should avoid to help keep symptoms under control including drying clothes outside. It said: “Do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen.”
The NHS also says hay fever suffers should not cut or walk on grass, limit time spent outdoors, and not keep fresh flowers inside. People are also warned to avoid smoking or being around smoke, as it can make symptoms worse. Households have also been advised to not let pets into the house if possible as they can carry pollen indoors.
Temperatures of 35C or higher have now been recorded in May, June and July of the same year for the first time in the UK weather record, as heatwave conditions continue through the weekend and into next week, the Met Office.
Amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also remain in place across large parts of England until Sunday, with temperatures expected to remain widely well above average across much of the UK over the coming days.
Met Office Science Manager, Dr Amy Doherty, said: “This year has already seen a number of remarkable temperature milestones.
“Not only have we now recorded a record eight days with temperatures exceeding 34C, surpassing the previous record held by 1976 and 2020, but it is also the first year in the UK weather record to see temperatures reach 35C or higher in May, June and July. These records highlight just how notable this year has been for UK temperatures, with exceptional warmth observed across multiple months.”
Saturday will see highs of 32-34C in Wales and southwest England, Northern Ireland temperatures could reach 25C. Scotland could see highs of 27C.