Insights | Allergy | Hay Fever
How does weather affect hay fever?
Is your hay fever better when it rains? Or maybe it’s worse in windy conditions? If you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – commonly known as hay fever – then you'll be all too familiar with hay fever season and the symptoms triggered by increased pollen. But it’s not just the allergy season that’s important – it’s also daily weather forecasts.
The weather is linked closely to the production, distribution and the dispersion of pollen. Temperature, wind, rain and sunshine all affect how much pollen is produced and how much is spread around. Less pollen is released on cooler, cloudy days than on hot, sunny days.¹
Sunshine
While others are quick to head to the park on a sunny day, hay fever sufferers are likely to want to hide inside. This is because warm, dry, sunny days during the summer months commonly lead to high pollen counts.
Depending on where you live, the season may start at different times. Warmer, sunny weather brings higher levels of tree and grass pollens.
Temperature
When temperatures rise above 55.4°F ( 13°C ), the warmth causes trees to release pollen.³
According to the Met Office, trees respond best to a temperature range of between 55.4-59 °F (13-15 °C). However, pollen levels will decrease if temperatures rise above 82.4 °F (28 °C). If the weather is very hot for several days in a row, then pollen may not be present at all.⁴
Rainfall
Rainfall causes a decrease in pollen concentration, as moisture weighs down pollen, keeping it on the ground. Rain also suppresses pollen transportation and clears the air.
But the time and amount that it rains during the day can make a big difference. Heavy, prolonged, early morning rain is likely to keep pollen counts low all day, while rain in the afternoon will have less of an impact.⁴
Wind
Wind transports pollen around and can carry it long distances, potentially hundreds of miles. However, it all depends on wind strength – the Met Office says that if wind is too light, pollen will not get off the ground to be dispersed, and if it’s too windy, it can thin out considerably. Different types of pollen require different wind speeds for dispersion.⁴
Time of day
Time of day is also an important factor in hay fever. Plants start to release pollen early in the morning and, as the day gets warmer and more flowers open, pollen levels increase. Rising hot air carries pollen alongside it, which then drifts back down on the cooler evening air.
This explains why symptoms can be troublesome mid-day, and why in the middle of a hot night, you can get an attack of hay fever, particularly if you sleep with your bedroom windows open, even though the plants that produce pollen have shut for the night.
Allergy seasons and hay fever
•spring – Plants start to release pollen in February or March. Tree pollens are also a common spring allergen.
•summer – Early in summer, grass pollen can trigger reactions. Later in the summer, weed pollen such as ragweed can become a problem.
•fall – Ragweed season usually ends with the first frost in October.
•winter – Indoor allergens – like pet dander and dust mites – can produce symptoms in winter, but less pollen allergens are present.
Hay fever season: what can you do?
•Get ahead of your allergy. If you find you get the same allergy symptoms at the same time every year – grass pollen in the summer, for example – then start preparing early. Ask your GP if you can take allergy treatments about two weeks before you usually start seasonal sneezing, coughing, or itching. That way, you can prevent symptoms before they start.
•Watch the weather. Check local pollen counts, watch for Ozone Action Days, and spend less time outdoors when peak pollination is likely to cause an increase in symptoms.
•Control your environment. You can't change what's happening outside, but you do have some control over your indoor environment. Use an air purifier to trap pollen and other microscopic particles and dust.
•Wash away allergens. Pollen can collect on your skin, hair, clothes, footwear and pets.⁶ After you’ve been outdoors, aim to wash your clothes as soon as you take them off, and shower to wash away pollen particles.
•Prevent pollen entering your home. Keep windows closed as much as possible to prevent pollen from drifting inside. Consider drying clothes indoors rather than in the garden, as pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
Pollen gets everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It can travel long distances and is hard to avoid completely. But taking simple steps to reduce exposure and staying up to date with weather forecasts and pollen counts can help keep hay fever symptoms under control.
-
Purifiers
Dyson purifiers capture gases,² allergens* and 99.97% of fine particles.
-
Purifier humidifiers
Automatically humidifies and purifies.
-
Purifier heaters
Purifies and heats the whole room.⁸
-
Read more
¹Testing for PM2.5 purification completed in a large testing chamber following relevant Dyson testing methods. Results may vary in practice.
²The Met Office (2023) When is hay fever season? Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/pollen/when-is-hayfever-season. Accessed March 2023.
³The Royal Meteorological Society (2023) Pollen levels and weather: Why hay fever sufferers need to keep an eye on the weather. Available at: https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/pollen-levels-and-weather-why-hay-fever-sufferers-need-keep-eye-weather. Accessed March 2023.
⁴Met Office (2023) How does the weather affect hay fever?. Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/pollen/how-does-the-weather-affect-hay-fever. Accessed March 2023.
⁵Gov.UK (2022) Thunderstorm asthma and public health – looking back to move forward. Available at: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/18/thunderstorm-asthma-and-public-health-looking-back-to-move-forward/. Accessed March 2023.
⁶TAKAHASHI, Y. 2008. Two Routes for Pollen Entering Indoors: Ventilation and Clothes.
Press contacts
-
USA
Emails us at USPR@Dyson.com
1330 West Fulton Street, 5th Floor, Chicago IL, 60607
-
Social media
- Twitter: @dyson
- YouTube: youtube.com/dyson
- Facebook: facebook.com/dyson
- Instagram: @Dyson
- Instagram: @dysonbeauty
- LinkedIn: Dyson
- Pinterest: Dyson Technology