The warnings come during a period of fine, dry and very warm weather affecting much of the country. According to the Met Office, temperatures should ease across south-east England through the weekend and into next week, although the end of the warm spell is not expected to be straightforward.
Nine UK Areas Face Very High Pollen Levels
The most widespread red pollen warnings are in force on Thursday 9 July, covering north-east England, north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, Wales, south-west England, London and south-east England, and the East of England.
Five other regions are also under amber “high” alerts on Thursday. The Met Office publishes a five-day pollen forecast during spring and summer, ranking pollen levels from low to very high to help hay fever sufferers identify periods when their symptoms may become more pronounced.
More than 10 million people in Britain suffer from hay fever, an allergy to airborne pollen particles released by plants. Symptoms are generally at their worst between March and November. Different types of pollen include grass, weed and tree pollen, and individuals can be allergic to specific types.
The geographical extent of the red warnings gradually narrows after Thursday. On Friday 10 July, very high pollen levels are forecast for north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, Wales, south-west England, and London and south-east England.
By Saturday 11 July, red alerts remain for north-west England, Wales and south-west England. Wales is then the only area listed under a red “very high” pollen warning on both Sunday 12 July and Monday 13 July.
Heatwave Conditions Could Persist Into Next Week
The hottest weather of the week is forecast for Thursday and Friday. According to the UK weather agency, some locations in England could see temperatures climb to 35C or 36C.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said temperatures are expected to ease across south-east England through the weekend and into next week, but warned that the transition away from the current heatwave would not be simple.
“High pressure is expected to remain in charge through much of next week, but it will gradually migrate northwards,” Crabtree said. “This means that an easterly wind will become established in the south, and the focus for the hottest conditions will migrate towards the southwest.”
As a result, some locations that have experienced the highest temperatures in recent weeks are expected to cool. Very warm conditions are still forecast, particularly in the south-west, where heatwave thresholds may continue to be met in some places.
According to Crabtree, the broader forecast indicates continued fine, dry and very warm weather at times for many parts of the UK into next week. There is also a chance of thunderstorms spreading into parts of the south and south-west. While the heat is forecast to shift geographically, pollen warnings will remain in place in parts of Britain through Monday. Wales is the only region listed at the red “very high” level on each of the five days covered by the forecast.
