Met Office Issues High Pollen Warnings for UK Regions

The Met Office has issued warnings of high pollen levels across several regions of the United Kingdom next week, signaling an early intensification of hay fever season for millions of sufferers amid warming temperatures and sunnier weather.

Pollen counts, particularly from ash trees, are expected to rise significantly, with high levels forecasted for Wednesday in the East Midlands, East of England, Southeast England, Southwest England, and West Midlands. Wales faces a medium risk on the same day, while Scotland and northern England will likely see low to moderate counts. This marks a sharp contrast to recent days, when low humidity and chilly conditions, including temperatures dipping to 2.5 degrees Celsius near Dover in Kent on Friday, kept pollen threats minimal. Forecasters attribute the upcoming surge to improving weather, with temperatures stabilizing above 10 degrees Celsius by Monday and reaching the mid-teens on Tuesday, potentially climbing to 22 degrees Celsius in some areas over the following weeks.

The alert comes just after the spring equinox, as birch pollen season begins, running from March through June and peaking in April and May. Ash pollen currently poses the...