BRITAIN PUT ON HEATWAVE HEALTH ALERT
ALLERGY sufferers were warned last night as sizzling temperatures threatened to send pollen and pollution levels soaring.
Thermometers are poised to hit 77F (25C) over the next few days with lashings of sunshine and blue skies forecast nationwide.
However, the warm weather will drive pollen counts up spelling misery for asthma and hayfever sufferers.
A blast of warm air from the Continent will also drag a swathe of pollution across the country.
Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is predicting moderate to high levels across central and some southern regions by the weekend.
Dr Jean Emberlin, Allergy UK’s scientific director, said Britain is about to hit the peak of the birch tree pollen season.
She warned heavy pollution with high pollen counts can worsen allergy symptoms in people with asthma and hayfever.
Dr Emberlin said: “Over the coming week we are expecting warmer temperatures and this coincides with the peak of the birch pollen season.
“Around 25 per cent of people with hayfever will be sensitive to birch and should take precautions. High pollen conditions and high pollution can make the situation much worse and can exacerbate symptoms.”
The Met Office is predicting high pollen levels into the weekend while Defra warned of widespread pollution. A Defra spokesman said: “With a continental airflow becoming established, widespread areas of moderate air pollution are likely to develop across the southern half of the UK tomorrow, spreading to some northern areas on Friday.
“On Saturday, moderate areas of air pollution will persist across many parts of the UK, with a risk of high air pollution in some places.”
Asthma UK warned sufferers to beware of “grey fever” – a mix of pollen and pollution particles.
Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and policy, said: “If you have asthma you should check pollen and air pollution forecasts in your area, make sure you carry your inhaler and know what to do if your symptoms get worse.”
The warnings come as Britain prepares to bask in the “first taste of summer” with temperatures set to rocket to 75F in the coming days.
Jim Dale, forecaster for British Weather Services, said: “Winds will change to a southerly flow over the next few days bringing high temperatures of 75F in parts.
“This weekend will feel much more like summer and very different from the winter set-up which brought cooler temperatures through April. “The warmer conditions could trigger some thunderstorms. We are looking at the warmest spell of the year so far.”
The best of the weather will be in the South although thermometers in Scotland and the North will nudge 63F. London, the South-east and parts of central and southern England could hit 77F, the hottest it has been this year.