Spring is finally here, and while many of us are looking forward to longer days and warmer weather, for hay fever sufferers, it's the beginning of what can be a challenging few months. If you're one of the 20% in the UK affected by hay fever, here’s what you need to know about the season ahead.
Met Office Pollen Forecast is now live
Today marks the launch of our 2025 pollen forecast service, which will run until mid-September. Our five-day forecasts give you the heads-up on both pollen levels and the specific types of pollen in the air across different regions of the UK.
Get pollen alerts straight to your phone
You can access our pollen forecast on the Met Office website or download our app to get pollen alerts sent straight to your phone.
What's the outlook for this year?
The tree pollen season has already started, with the first pollen being detected as early as February in some parts of the country. Our UK Pollen Forecast Manager, Yolanda Clewlow, explains what we can say about this year at present. “The pollen season has already started and people with a sensitivity to tree pollen may have noticed the early tree species in the air. For those who are allergic to birch pollen, the season for this species is likely to be high, largely due to the conditions last spring and summer when pollen was forming on some trees.”
Last year, the UK experienced its warmest meteorological spring and May since Met Office records began in 1884. Combine this with more warm temperatures at the end of June, and conditions were ideal for pollen production.
“For grass pollen, which is the most common reason for hay fever reactions, it’s too early to clearly define how the season ahead could look, with much depending on the weather over the next few weeks.
"We're constantly monitoring what's in the atmosphere and what might be coming in terms of pollen in the air. We look at a very broad picture for the pollen outlook, including the weather in the previous year when pollen was forming on some plants to make a judgement on how a season might be for pollen release." Yolanda said.
What role does the weather play?
Weather plays a huge role in both how much pollen is produced and how it spreads. Rain, wind, temperature and sunshine all affect pollen levels in different ways:
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Warm, wet weather promotes pollen production.
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A warm, dry day with a light breeze helps spread pollen through the air.
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Rain can wash pollen from the air, temporarily reducing levels.
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Urban areas typically have lower pollen counts than rural areas, but city pollution can make symptoms worse when combined with pollen.
Know the pollen season
If you're a hay fever sufferer, it helps to understand which type of pollen affects you and when it's likely to be in the air. The UK pollen season typically follows the below pattern, but the seasons can start earlier or run later depending on where you live in the UK and what the weather's doing.
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Tree pollen: Late March to mid-May
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Grass pollen: Mid-May to July (most people are allergic to this type)
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Weed pollen: End of June to September
Advances in forecasting methodologies mean more detailed information
Advances in forecasting methodologies mean that this year, we can provide even more detail about pollen species in the forecast.
Yolanda explains: “In previous years, just one pollen species has driven the forecast, switching during the season when the new species takes over. But this year, the forecast is able to allow multiple pollen species to be included in the output at the same time. This mean different locations may be high for different species at the same time. So for example, there may be ‘high’ levels coming from grass in the southwest, while ‘high’ levels are from oak in Scotland. We would previously not have been able to show the pollen species in such detail.”
This means a more detailed pollen forecast, but it also means it is important that the user read the text element of the forecast, as this is where it will give the information about which species are relevant at the time, in that specific location.
Tips for managing your symptoms
Knowing when pollen levels will be high means you can take steps to reduce the impact:
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Check the pollen forecast regularly on our website or app.
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Reduce time outdoors when levels are high, especially when grass is being cut.
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Keep windows closed during peak pollen times.
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Shower and change clothes after spending time outside.
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Wear wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
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Take appropriate medication before symptoms start, rather than waiting until they're in full impact.
Pets can suffer from hay fever too.
Stay one step ahead by using our pollen forecast
The best defence is being prepared. You can access our pollen forecast on the Met Office website or download our app to get pollen alerts sent straight to your phone.
