The Met Office has issued the alert for several regions across the country
The Met Office has issued the alert for several regions across the country
07:27, 13 Apr 2025Updated 07:27, 13 Apr 2025
The Met Office has issued a red alert warning to four regions across the country this Sunday, April 13. The United Kingdom’s National Weather and Climate Service warned pollen levels would be “very high” across a large part of the country as the warmer weather signals the onset of hay fever season for many individuals.
Hay fever, which affects over 10 million people in the UK, can cause uncomfortable symptoms during the spring and summer months.
Forecasters are cautioning those affected that their symptoms may intensify this weekend due to the elevated pollen count.
Yesterday, on Saturday, April 12, eight out of nine regions in England experienced the highest level of pollen alert. The North East is the only region in England where pollen levels where be categorised as amber, or ‘high’.
In central and southern Scotland, pollen levels will also be ‘high’, while in the far north of the country, pollen levels will be ‘low’, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Whereas today, Sunday, pollen levels are expected to decrease in northern areas, but red ‘very high’ levels will persist in five areas in the south of England and the Midlands.
High pollen levels can exacerbate symptoms for those suffering from a pollen allergy, commonly known as hay fever.
Inhalation of the fine powder-like substance triggers antibodies that produce mucus and can result in symptoms such as congestion and sneezing.
Additional hay fever symptoms include a runny nose, itchy eyes, and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. The onset of spring brings with it the dreaded hay fever season, with symptoms starting to affect sufferers as pleasant weather sweeps across the UK.
With temperatures recently climbing above the usual averages, many have begun feeling the brunt of the season. During sunny spells, the pollen count tends to peak in the early evening, which is prime time for hay fever symptoms to hit, says the Met Office.
This week’s weather forecast suggests that certain parts of the UK could witness temperatures rising to a sizzling 24C.
The mercury is set to hit its highest on Friday in the capital and the south-east, potentially marking the warmest day of the year to date.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: “The average for this time of year is around 13C, so it’s going to be about 10C above average on Friday.
“We’ve got high pressure at the moment which effectively acts like a force field. It actually keeps fronts and clouds largely at bay and keeps conditions settled and dry underneath the area of high pressure.”