Millions of people suffering from hayfever in Britain have been warned that thunderstorms and high pollen counts will cause a phenomenon called ‘thunder fever’. It is caused by remnants of tropical storms.
Ex-tropical storm Alex will bring 45mph winds to some parts of the UK later in this week. The UK’s pollen count will rise up to “very high” in England and Wales, by Friday.
Hurricane Storm Alex brought 133mm (5.2 inches) of rain to Florida. The storm will eventually lose its most power after it crosses the Atlantic. However, it will continue to bring high winds.
The pollen counts in Southern England and Eastern England today will be medium. It will then rise by tomorrow to a high level across much of England. It will be at a low level in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Max Wiseberg is an expert in Airborne allergens and creator of HayMax’s allergen barrier balm. He said, “With this fine climate thunderstorms are also forecast, and they could bring problems to hayfever sufferers.
Tynemouth Beach in North Tyneside is experiencing terrible conditions this morning. Rain and wind keep people away
This morning’s wet and windy conditions saw a swimmer go into the Tynemouth sea, North Tyneside.
From Thursday, high pollen count are forecast across much of England. It will create havoc for thousands of Hay-Fever sufferers. As they are capable of causing a phenomenon called ‘thunder fever,’ predicted thunderstorms will not provide relief.
The European Respiratory reviews reported that pollen grains are broken down by humidity, making them smaller and more allergenic. These particles then become what is known as a super pollen’.
M. Wiseberg said, “This seems to be more allergenic that normal pollen. This causes more severe reactions in sufferers. Storms lower pollen grains that might otherwise have risen to above the head, whipping up fungal spores and pollen grains near the ground.
Tomorrow will see weaker rainfall moving from West to West, and ex-tropical storm Alex will bring low pressure.
Friday will bring stronger winds across the UK. Showers may move into western areas of the UK on Friday.
Oli Claydon said, as a Met Office spokesperson, that wind is what matters most – it’s unseasonably high winds this time of the year. On Friday we saw gusts as high as 45 mph.
“Those wind speeds are confined to the UK’s far north-west, however, as low pressure passes over the UK north through Saturday, an area larger than the UK north could experience those wind speeds.
“It will become windy across the UK. However, it will not be as bad in the south. Low pressure has less impact on the UK.
Claydon said that the strength of the ex-storm would decrease over the weekend. He also stated that it ‘doesn’t have the usual tropical strength in terms its strength’.