High numbers ofpollenmixed with a mid-August thunderstorm could trigger a weather phenomenon known as 'lightning heat' this week, Forecasters warn it could cause problems for allergy sufferers.
Thunderstorm hay fever is caused by large numbers of small pollen particles released into the atmosphere by heavy rainfall associated with thunderstorms.
A combination of very mild weather, high winds and thunderstorms caused theMeteorological Officeto force & Humberside and Wales in Yorkshire and many other parts of the UK toPollenlevels are high this week, but the threat remains low in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Although grass pollen season is now past its peak, weed pollen is in full force and can create new problems for victims.
According to anti-allergy brand Heymax, the main culprits are mugwort, sorrel and psyllium.
The first is a hardy perennial native to England and part of the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies, sunflowers, dandelions and ragweeds.
On the other hand, sorrel and its subspecies are common perennial weeds, also known as red sorrel, sour weed, and sorrel.
Last English plantain, also known as narrowleaf plantain, ribwort plantain, ribleaf, buckhorn plantain, buckhorn or lamb's tongue, is a common weed in cultivated fields.
About thunderstorms this summer, forecaster Joe Farrow said:
``We had very warm air blowing in the UK and the grass was and weed pollen, airborne fungal spores, and air pollution can usher in summer, causing thunderstorm hay fever and thunderstorm asthma.
In other parts of the world, such as thunderstorms, thunderstorms have caused massive incidents, deteriorating atmospheric conditions, and affecting large numbers of people.
In 2016, heavy rains and winds triggered thousands of pollen allergy-induced asthma attacks in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Eight people later died from thunderstorm asthma.
