Following days of summer heat, high birch pollen levels are warned for half the country in the coming days. The forecast runs until Monday with high risk in Götaland, Svealand, and parts of Norrland. Around three million Swedes suffer from pollen allergy.
Welcome summer heat? Perhaps not if you have pollen allergy, several Swedish media report. In the coming days, there is a high risk of birch pollen in half the country, following days of heat.
According to the Swedish Museum of Natural History, which continuously measures pollen levels, birch flowering has been mild so far – with high levels, but in the lower range. Until Monday, to which the current forecast runs, there is a high risk of high levels across all of Götaland, large parts of Svealand, and a stretch along the Norrland coast and a bit inland. North of this area, there is an elevated risk, while further north it is only a small risk.
In addition, there is an elevated risk of high levels of alder and willow in Götaland, large parts of Svealand, the entire Norrland coast, and large parts of Norrland's interior.
Around three million Swedes are estimated to be allergic to pollen, and it could be particularly troublesome days for those sensitive primarily to birch pollen. Pollen allergy causes symptoms like red and itchy eyes, nasal congestion, repeated sneezing, and runny nose, according to 1177.
