Met Office issues rare ‘red alert’ this week | UK | News
The ‘red alert’ issued for this week coincides with the increase in temperatures (file image) (Image: Getty)
The Met Office has issued a so-called ‘red alert’ for hay fever for large parts of England. The forecaster is warning of very high tree pollen levels across much of the country over the next five days, coinciding with a rise in temperatures.
Southern England and the Midlands will be the areas hardest hit, with very high pollen counts expected every day until Friday. The only exception is Thursday, when the southwest is expected to see warm conditions. High levels of ash pollen are also expected, as well as very high levels of birch pollen, the main type affecting tree pollen sufferers.
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Hay fever can cause symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes (Image: Getty)
Hay fever can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as itchy eyes and throat irritation.
Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever Telegram.
Tree pollen is responsible for about a quarter of all hay fever cases.
Hay fever sufferers in other parts of England and the United Kingdom may also be affected by increased pollen.
The whole of England and Wales will see very high pollen counts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pollen levels will otherwise be high in Wales on other weekdays, according to the Met Office’s 5-day forecast.
Pollen counts in northern England will be largely in the high category during this period.
Hay fever patients in Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be less affected; lower pollen counts largely range from low to medium.
However, on Tuesday the whole of Northern Ireland and much of Scotland will see high pollen levels.
Allergy UK advises hay fever sufferers to limit outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are high.
The charity also encourages other steps such as keeping home windows closed and avoiding drying clothes outside.
The rise in pollen comes as forecasters say the warmest temperature of the year so far could be set three times this week.
Parts of the UK may experience high temperatures of 21 or 22 degrees on Tuesday; Temperatures could rise again on Wednesday, reaching as high as 24 degrees in south-east England, before the weather cools towards the weekend.
The warmer weather follows Storm Dave, which caused widespread damage and disruption as 70mph winds ripped through northern England, Scotland and Wales over the Easter weekend.
A Met Office spokesman said: “As Storm Dave moves away and this high pressure builds behind it, we are now pulling in warmer air from the continent.
“It’s one of those seasons where things can change so quickly from day to day.”
The Met Office warned of another “major change” on Thursday, when temperatures were expected to drop to between 10 and 13 degrees.
“At this time of year it all depends on the direction of the wind,” the spokesman said.
“Over the next few days, we’ll be driving that warm, south wind that will see temperatures reach the mid-20s.
“As we head into Thursday we will see temperatures return to normal times of year as we see the weather become more variable with increased rainfall and showers.”
