British hay fever sufferers are being warned of very high pollen levels this week - with 11 regions set to get the worst of it.
After plenty of showers in recent weeks the outlook is for it to be drier over the coming days although there will still be plenty of showers around, especially today.
People with pollen allergies are being advised that pollen counts are rising, according to the Met Office, and it is peaking today where most of England has a very high pollen count.
The pollen count is very high due to warm and dry weather. And this causes grass pollen to rise. Plantain, dock, and nettle pollen are also high.
This Met Office pollen map shows how high the pollen is across the UK todayOnly the northeast of England escapes but it still is predicted to have a high pollen count according to the Met Office’s monitoring network where weather data is combined with expertise from organisations like the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit. There is also a very high count on Thursday for Northern Ireland while for Scotland the level is expected to be moderate.
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The count builds through the week with it being very high along the south coast today and moderate for most areas of the UK.
Unfortunately, the pollen forecast for the rest of the week isn't set to improve. By Sunday and Monday, every region apart from four will have a very high pollen count.
Full list of regions with very high pollen count today:
Northern Ireland
North East England
North West England
Yorkshire & Humber
Wales
West Midlands
East Midlands
East England
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London
South East England
South West England
What are pollen allergies?
Pollen is made up of tiny particles which are released by plants and trees as part of their reproductive cycle. It is an extremely fine powder and is spread by insects and the wind.
Pollen can cause significant irritation and inflammation in people who are allergic to it. Pollen can be inhaled by humans and animals. For those with an allergy, pollen triggers the antibody immunoglobulin E, which creates mucus and leads to symptoms such as congestion and sneezing.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is the most common name for pollen allergy and is most commonly caused by grass pollens, although other pollens can also trigger the symptoms. The symptoms are caused when immune system reacts to pollen in the body to produce histamine and other chemicals.
Around two in every ten people have this allergy and it is thought that more than 10 million people in Britain suffer with hay fever. You are more likely to suffer from hay fever if you have a family history of allergies, or if you suffer from asthma or eczema. Most people develop hay fever in childhood or when they are a teenager, although it can be triggered at any age. Many people find, however, that they grow out of the condition and suffer less from the symptoms of hay fever as an adult.
Met Office forecaster Honor Criswick said: The good news is that there is some dry weather on its way, may even start to see some sunshine too however still plenty of showers on the cards.”
And the outlook from the national agency states for today: “A mixture of sunshine and showers, but most places staying largely dry compared to the weekend. The heaviest and most frequent showers in the east and northeast with a risk of thunder. Driest towards the southwest. Feeling a little warmer. Showers easing through the evening, but some patchy rain remaining over northern Scotland. Light winds with clear skies for many with a little patchy mist or fog possible.
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