We provide here pollen forecasts and recommendations, that are based on our scientifically evaluated data and our expertise. It is our aim to inform persons concerned by pollen allergies in Vienna in a most comprehensive, accurate way and free of charge.
Current pollination
LEGEND
Due to current cause:
Currently there is a poplar cotton wool on the move, which can be found as white flakes in the air or on the ground. Poplar cotton wool is the seed hairs and seed threads of the poplar tree and is completely harmless. These flakes are not pollen and do not contain allergenic proteins, hence they are hypoallergenic. Poplar seed hairs and seed threads can even filter pollen from allergenic plants from the air. Poplar pollen is usually found in the air from February to early April and is no longer responsible for allergic reactions at this time of year. However, the poplar seed hairs and seed threads usually occur together with the birch or the grass pollen season and the symptoms are therefore often incorrectly attributed to the white flakes.
Photo: Flowering orchard grass (left) and flowering false oat grass (right)
Mid- and long-term forecast for Vienna
This forecast gives you an overview for a longer time period so that you can improve your planning.
Grass pollen concentrations suffer from lower temperatures!
The grass pollen season has reached its peak flowering period. You can still find flowering specimens of meadow foxtail grass on near-natural meadows in the Vienna countryside. In the urban area itself, orchard grass, Kentucky bluegrass, false oat grass, wall barley and brome grasses are currently in flower. In some locations, perennial ryegrass has also started to flower.
In the meadows, dock and plantain are currently flowering. Their pollen can trigger cross-reactions in individuals allergic to grass pollen.
Ash pollen allergy remains an issue due to the manna ash trees planted in Vienna, although its main flowering period is nearing its end.
Oak and beech, which can be cross-reactive to birch, are at the end of their main flowering period. Pollen allergy sufferers who are sensitized to birch pollen should still expect symptoms due to cross-reactions.
Coniferous trees such as fir, spruce, and pine are in full bloom in Vienna. In dry weather, they can release large quantities of pollen, which appears as a yellowish precipitate, known as sulphur rain, on outdoor surfaces. From an allergological point of view, however, this sulphur rain is harmless.
The weather in Vienna is expected to remain unsettled until the end of the week, with lower temperatures and occasional rain showers. This is keeping grass pollen levels low, meaning moderate concentrations are only likely from the beginning of next week. Manna ash and oak will reach low pollen concentrations at most.
Pollination profile
Grasses:
State of the flower: main flowering period/hardly any pollination
trend: constant
time of the start of the flower: earlier than average
You can find the typical pollen seasons in our pollen calendar.
Tip of the season: It is advisable to wear sunglasses and headgear when going for a walk outside. These mechanical barriers ensure that your eyes and hair come into less contact with pollen, thus minimizing direct physical contact with the allergen.
Pollen spectrum:
Pollen from scorpionweeds, elderberry, mulberry, English dogwood, oilseed rape, locust tree, horse chestnut, sedges, walnut and willow is also detected at our monitoring station.
Current main allergen: Grasses
Grass pollen allergy is the most prevalent pollen allergy in Vienna!
Pollination time in Vienna: April to September; decorative grasses extend the pollination time into autumn!
Occurrence in Vienna: The sweet grass family (Poaceae) is prevalent and found nearly everywhere. Natural monuments, parks, the banks of the Danube and obviously all areas (meadows/lawns), that are mowed infrequently, are hot spots.
Who are “the grasses“?
There are many genera and species of relevance for persons concerned, especially because reactions to different taxa of the family are individual. Those grasses, that are of highest relevance for a grass pollen allergy, are mentioned in the following.
Bluegrass (Poa pratensis): flowers from April to June. It is sowed frequently for lawns and pastures.
Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata): flowers from May to June. It occurs frequently (especially on meadows, roadsides, ruderal areas).
Falseoat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius): flowers from May to July. Falseoat-grass prefers pastures and clearings.
Fescue grass (Festuca sp.): flowers from May to July. This genus is species-rich and prefers marshes like fine lawns, but also alluvial forests and roadsides.
Perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne): flowers from June to July. Perennial rye grass grows frequently on meadows and pastures and is used as pasture grass.
Timothy grass (Phleum pratense): flowers from June to September. Timothy grass is an allergologically famous gras but plays a minor role in Vienna due to its infrequent distribution. It prefers natural areas.
Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon): flowers from July to August. Bermuda grass is a neophyte in Europa and a light and heat indicator.
Cereals (cultivated rye, wheat and maize): Cereals belong as well to the sweet grass family. Grain fields in vicinity of Vienna may cause locally increased pollination, although cereal pollen is in general larger and thus not transported as far. Cultivated rye flowers usually from May to June, wheat from June to July and maize from July to August.
Cross-reactivity to pollen of other plants: Grass pollen is highly cross-reactive among pollen of other grasses
The GeoSphere Austria is our partner for weather forecasts and weather data. We are grateful for the professional interchange and the cooperation.
Video Highlight: first pollination of the birch 2025
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Here you can see birch catkins that are already dusting in a macro video. Pollen is released into the air as yellowish dust when touched.