Met Office issues very high pollen alert for Wales — forecast stays elevated through Wednesday
Pollen levels across Wales are at their highest point of the year so far, with the Met Office issuing a very high rating for both birch and ash pollen on Tuesday 7 April.
The forecast covers the whole of Wales, including Flintshire and Deeside, and remains at very high for Wednesday before dropping to high on Thursday and Friday.
Saturday is forecast at moderate.
Birch and ash are among the most common triggers for hay fever symptoms in spring, and the combination of very high readings for both is likely to affect the estimated one in five people in the UK who suffer from pollen allergies.
The Met Office forecast, last issued at 1am on Tuesday, also records moderate plane pollen across Wales today.
For people with anxiety or recurrent mood disorders such as bipolar, the Met Office notes there is a documented correlation between high pollen levels and increased anxiety, citing research published in the International Journal of Child Health and Human Development.
Pets are not immune either.
Cats and dogs can develop hay fever, according to the Met Office, which has published guidance on identifying and managing pollen allergies in animals.
Alcohol can also make symptoms worse.
Beer, wine and other spirits contain histamine, the chemical that triggers allergy reactions in the body, which can intensify the effect of pollen exposure.
For those living in towns and urban areas such as Connah’s Quay, Shotton or Flint, lower pollen counts are not always a reliable guide to symptoms.
The Met Office says pollen can combine with air pollution in urban areas and bring on hay fever symptoms even where counts are lower than in the surrounding countryside.
Rain does not necessarily bring relief.
Wet weather encourages grass to grow, and if dry conditions follow, pollen levels can rise sharply.
The Met Office also notes that the pollen season runs far longer than many people expect, starting as early as January and continuing as late as November.
People with hay fever are advised to check the Met Office forecast daily, as levels can shift with wind direction and rainfall.
The forecast is updated each day and is available at metoffice.gov.uk.
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