UKHSA issues unwelcome early warning over spring illness | Weather | News
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an unsolicited early warning of a spring disease that could be triggered earlier this year due to a milder winter.
Studies have shown that a warmer climate may cause some types of pollen to be released earlier than normal, meaning hay fever can be triggered as early as January or February. Hay fever season usually starts in late March and lasts until September, according to the Met Office. The end of March usually coincides with the beginning of astronomical spring, when weather conditions begin to warm up. But Met Office data shows average temperatures across the UK this winter have been above the seasonal long-term average, with Southern England in particular seeing the warmest climates.
This February was the ninth warmest month on record for the UK; All four countries recorded above-average temperatures last month, and these mild conditions could have a knock-on effect on pollen release.
The UKHSA said in an alert published on
Traditionally in the UK the pollen season has been divided into three distinct but overlapping phases. The first phase usually lasts from March to May with the release of tree pollen, followed by grass pollen from mid-May to July, and finally the final phase is weed pollen released from July to September.
However, pollen levels are highly dependent on spring and early summer weather conditions; higher temperatures mean more pollen is produced. Spring rainfall also has a big impact, as a dry season will reduce the amount of pollen production, although this winter is among the wettest on record in some parts of the UK.
Research suggests that with rising temperatures, oak and grass pollen seasons may begin even earlier, triggering hay fever symptoms as early as January or February.
The UKHSA added: “A changing climate will affect pollen patterns in at least 3 ways:
It is possible that climate change may lead to changes in the potency of pollen; A single pollen particle may contain varying amounts of the allergy-causing agent;
The UK also faces a threat from changes in the geographical distribution of allergenic plants due to climate change, with invasive species such as ambrosia (common ragweed) being on the watch list. A single ragweed plant can produce a billion grains of pollen per season, and its pollen causes strong allergic reactions.
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The Met Office says the start of hay fever season can also depend on where you live in the UK, with those living in the north tending to see a later onset and a shorter season as there’s generally less pollen than the south. Pollen counts in urban areas will also be lower than in rural areas, and pollen levels in inland areas will be higher than those on the coast.
Hay fever symptoms occur when the pollen count (the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air) exceeds 50, and is usually worst in the early evening when the count is highest.
