The Met Office has issued a warning that Friday will bring 'very high' pollen levels across 16 county-level areas in England, making it potentially the worst day of the week for hay fever sufferers. The latest pollen map indicates that the East of England, London, and the South East will experience very high grass pollen concentrations, while much of England and Wales will see high levels.
According to the Met Office, 'Friday is expected to bring some of the highest pollen levels of the forecast period.' They added that 'very high grass pollen is likely across the East Midlands and East of England, while London and the South East remain at very high levels.' The forecast also warns that 'high levels will continue across much of England and Wales,' with parts of central and eastern Scotland potentially seeing a temporary rise to moderate or high pollen levels.
Grass Pollen Dominates as Main Allergen
Grass pollen remains the primary allergen across the UK, with smaller amounts of weed pollen also circulating. The Met Office stated: 'Grass pollen continues to be the dominant allergen, with some weed pollen still around.' The elevated pollen counts are driven by warmer, drier, and increasingly settled weather developing through the weekend, creating ideal conditions for pollen to spread.
The Met Office explained: 'Recent warm, dry conditions with light winds are ideal for pollen to be released and carried through the air, while a lack of rainfall means it isn't being washed away, which can make symptoms feel particularly severe.' They added: 'For most hay fever sufferers, the worst conditions are warm, dry and breezy days. These allow pollen to be released easily and spread efficiently through the atmosphere.'
Weekend Outlook: Slight Ease in Some Areas
Conditions are expected to ease slightly in some areas on Saturday, although high grass pollen is still forecast across much of central, eastern, and southern England. Northern parts of the UK are expected to fare better, with Scotland largely remaining a low-risk area for pollen throughout the weekend, while Northern Ireland is forecast to see mostly moderate levels.
Full List of Counties Facing High Pollen on Friday
The 16 county-level areas expected to see very high pollen levels on Friday include:
East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
London & South East: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex
The Met Office advises hay fever sufferers to take precautions, such as keeping windows closed, wearing sunglasses, and showering after being outdoors to reduce exposure to pollen.
