(Vienna, 05 April 2019) Most runners are looking forward to the ideal running weather forecast for this coming Sunday – with long sunny spells and temperatures of around 20°C – but it will negatively impact pollen allergy sufferers. Birch trees are still in full bloom and may continue to deliver high to very high pollen counts. Other trees in flower are the hornbeam, European hop hornbeam, oak and beech – all related to the birch and therefore capable of triggering a cross-reaction that could aggravate symptoms. Plane trees are now also in full bloom. Experts from MedUni Vienna's Austrian Pollen Monitoring Service therefore recommend that allergy sufferers should only start the race after consulting an allergologist and must be well prepared with any emergency medication they may need.
"People who are allergic to birch pollen need to be aware that birch trees are currently in full bloom and should not expose themselves to a high pollen count unprepared," explains Katharina Bastl of MedUni Vienna's Austrian Pollen Monitoring Service.
Sneak preview of the weather for the Vienna City Marathon this coming Sunday
It is currently expected that the weather on 07 April 2019 will be sunny and dry, with a few patches of cloud. These conditions are generally favourable for the spread of pollen. Birch flowers continue to be the main allergen for pollen allergy sufferers. The trees only recently came into full bloom and will continue throughout this week. High to very high concentrations of birch pollen can therefore be expected. A significant pollen count must be expected at all times of day, since no precipitation is forecast.
In any case, it is well worth looking at the allergy risk on Sunday, as this shows the pollen count over the course of the day (the simplest and best way is to look on the Austrian Pollen Monitoring Service website or use the "Pollen" app):
https://www.pollenwarndienst.at/aktuelle-belastung/allergierisiko.html
Says Bastl: "The situation will be exacerbated by flowering of the hornbeam and the European hop hornbeam. Oak and beech trees are also coming into flower. This will aggravate symptoms for people with a birch pollen allergy, who have an existing cross-reaction. The good news is that the oak, beech and European hop hornbeam are not yet in full bloom and the hornbeam is producing below-average blossom.
Conditions will also be favourable for blossoming of plane trees, which will soon be in full bloom. There are above average pollen counts in the city, especially along avenues lined by plane trees (e.g. Währinger Gürtel). Ash trees are also currently in flower. Although the ash pollen season is somewhat below average in Vienna, high pollen counts might still be reached.
All the latest pollen forecasts and graphics can be found at: www.pollenwarndienst.at; "Pollen" App