Hay fever sufferers are in the middle of a rough few weeks as the grass pollen season continues.
According to the Met Office, most people who have hay fever are allergic to the grass variety of pollen, which is in season right now. 'High' pollen levels are forecast in Newcastle and around the North East on Friday (July 1) and Saturday, followed by "Very High" on Sunday and Monday.
The good news is grass pollen counts should start to "tail off" this month, forecasters say. But the next two weeks are usually among the worst for hay fever sufferers.
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That's all because there are two peaks to grass pollen season. One has already been. But the next is due anytime now.
When peak hay fever season is due to end
As most hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, it is the grass pollen season that is the "peak" period for hay fever. Grass pollen season runs from mid-May through into July. There are two peaks to grass pollen season, one was the first two weeks of June. A second "lower" peak then usually follows in July.
The Met Office explains : "If we look at grass pollen, the peak across England and Wales, for example, usually starts in the first two weeks of June. There are two peaks though, with the second, lower peak occurring in the first two weeks of July, after which things tail off slowly."
So expect high pollen counts until mid-July, followed by lower counts. By August, grass pollen season should be over and most hay fever sufferers should feel some relief.
But hay fever season does not entirely end in August
While grass pollen season should be over by August, weed pollen season continues until September. Although fewer people are allergic to weed pollen compared to grass pollen, it will still trigger allergies for some hay fever sufferers.
"Weed pollen can be released at any time but the season typically covers the end of June to September," the Met Office says.
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