This weekend there has been an extreme spread of birch pollen in Eastern Norway.
Senior researcher Hallvard Ramfjord in the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association (NAAF) tells Dagbladet.
– This is because we are in the middle of the first flowering of the birch. Then it is very often the first week that is the worst, says Ramfjord.
An extreme spread is the highest level in NAAF’s national pollen warning.
Then it’s over
Culminates
The fantastic weather has ensured that the birch is very mature, which means that the amount of pollen tends to climax in the days ahead, he explains.
Buskerud was the hottest in Norway on Saturday with 24.9 degrees measured at Gulsvik, writes the Meteorological Institute on Twitter/X. Oslo also had its warmest day so far this year with 23.9 degrees.
On Saturday afternoon, the weather forecast is for rain in parts of Eastern Norway on Sunday.
If it strikes, and the showers last for some time, it is good news as far as the pollen forecast is concerned, says Ramfjord.
– In that case, it will be able to dampen the situation significantly. People like to say that the weather forecast, which is bad news for many, is good news for those with pollen allergies.
EXTREME SPREAD: The heat this week has caused the birch to mature violently. Photo: NTB
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– Can be very serious
An extreme pollen spread means that there are more than a thousand pollen grains in the air per cubic metre, he explains.
This only occurs a very few days a year.
– This boundary between an “extreme” and a “strong” spread, i.e. the level below, is something we have set, but it is, in a way, rather artificial. It does not necessarily make such a big difference whether there are 900 pollen grains or 1100 per cubic metre. A strong pollen spread is no small matter either. It can be very serious for allergy sufferers who are badly affected, says Ramfjord.
– It’s going to be damn hot
A heavy spread can last for a week.
As for tips and tricks to get through the worst birch pollen days, Ramfjord says that most allergy sufferers are sensible people. Should you still be in doubt, he highlights some tips that can also be found on NAAF’s website:
- Avoid ventilation when the pollen emission is greatest, it also applies to sleeping with the window open.
- Do not hang clothes to dry outside
- Keep the car’s doors, sunroof and windows closed and check whether you need to change the pollen filter in the car.
- Remember that a bike ride exposes you to a lot of pollen.
