Shropshire Star

Star Witness: Pretty, but is it a pollen bomb?

Take a look at this Star Witness photo and absorb the joys of spring.

Published
A field in bloom at Cressage. Photo: Steven Sneade.

But be careful in real life – warnings have been issued about a so-called “pollen bomb” that could strike throughout the Easter weekend with temperatures forecast to rise as high as 25C (77F).

This photo by Steven Sneade shows a field in bloom at Cressage, on the Much Wenlock road, with Wenlock Edge in the background.

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Watch the weekend weather forecast:

The Met Office was predicting a predominantly fine, dry and settled bank holiday weekend for much of the UK, with the mercury hitting the high teens and low 20s today and tomorrow in southern England.

But the warmer conditions could be bad news for hay fever and asthma sufferers, with the national weather service forecasting a high chance of pollen, stretching from the South West of England up as far as central Tayside and Fife in Scotland today.

The anticipated heatwave has prompted concerns about a “pollen bomb” over the weekend. Sonia Munde, head of services for Asthma UK, said: “A deadly pollen bomb is due to hit this week, putting people with asthma at risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack. Around 3.3 million people with asthma are affected by pollen, which can cause symptoms such as wheezing, a tight chest or coughing.

“Trees have been releasing their pollen for several weeks, but the warm spring weather is going to make these pollen levels spike.”

The Met Office is predicting that the tree pollen risk will be high in many places during the sunny weather, with birch, ash and willow pollen due to be airborne throughout the weekend.

Discussing the ways that asthma sufferers can protect themselves, Ms Munde added: “Take your prescribed preventer medicine to soothe your irritated airways so you’re less likely to react.”