Current Pollen Count: Your Guide Through Allergy Season in Germany

For about 15% of Germans, the start of the warm season means not only joy but also the beginning of hay fever season. Sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and a runny nose can significantly impact daily life. A precise knowledge of the current pollen count and the weather is the key to controlling symptoms and still enjoying life outdoors.

The Three Big Waves: Pollen Seasons in Germany

The pollen season follows a clear pattern determined by three main groups of plants:

1. Early Bloomers (February - April): The season often begins in the dead of winter with pollen from hazel and alder. These can start flying as early as January or February in mild temperatures. However, the peak and strongest trigger in spring is the birch, whose aggressive pollen causes the most severe symptoms in April and May.
2. Grasses (May - August): This is the longest and, for many, the most intense pollen season. A variety of grasses, including rye, timothy grass, and orchard grass, bloom throughout the summer. Since grasses grow almost everywhere, they are hard to avoid.
3. Weeds (July - October): In late summer and autumn, weed pollens dominate. The most important representative in Germany is mugwort. The highly allergenic ragweed, an invasive plant whose season can last into late autumn, is also becoming increasingly problematic.

How Weather Controls the Pollen Count

The pollen concentration in the air is extremely weather-dependent. A good weather app is therefore also a good pollen app.

• Sun and Dryness: In sunny and dry weather, the pollen sacs of plants burst and release their cargo.
• Wind: The wind is the main transport vehicle for pollen. On windy, dry days, pollen is distributed for miles, and the concentration is highest.
• Rain: Rain is an allergy sufferer's best friend. It literally washes the pollen out of the air. The air is cleanest right after a heavy downpour. However, a short, light shower can temporarily increase pollen concentration as the drops hit the ground and stir up pollen.
• Temperature: The temperature controls the start of the flowering season. An unusually warm February can cause the hazel and alder to bloom weeks earlier.

Strategies for Everyday Life: How to Minimize Symptoms

• Stay Informed: Check our pollen display daily. We show you the levels for tree, grass, and weed (mugwort) pollen from "Low" to "Very High."
• Ventilate Smartly: Pollen concentration is not the same all day. In rural areas, it's highest in the morning; in the city, in the evening. Ventilate counter-cyclically: in the countryside in the evening, in the city in the early morning.
• Plan Outdoor Activities: Use the time after a rain shower for sports or long walks. On days with very high pollen counts, strenuous outdoor activities should be avoided.
• The "Pollen Shower" in the Evening: Wash your hair before going to bed to rinse out the day's pollen. Do not leave clothes you've worn outside in the bedroom.
• Pollen Filters: Pollen screens for windows and special filters in car ventilation systems can significantly reduce the indoor pollen load.

With the right knowledge about the interplay of weather and pollen, you can act proactively and regain control over your allergy.