Residents in Middlesbrough should prepare for a spike in pollen levels this weekend as the area experiences the effects of the UK’s warmest start to April in 80 years.
According to the Met Office, pollen levels in the region are expected to be moderate on Friday 17 April before rising to high levels on Sunday 19 April. Birch pollen is currently the primary trigger for symptoms, which affects a large number of the estimated 13 million hay fever sufferers across the country.
Met Office senior scientist Lucy Neal advised that those sensitive to pollen should be prepared for these elevated levels, particularly during sunny spells. Allergy UK has noted that managing these symptoms is important, as they can disrupt sleep and potentially trigger or worsen asthma conditions.
In addition to the pollen alert, residents can expect variable temperatures. While Friday is forecast to see light rain and daytime temperatures reaching 16°C, the period from Saturday night into Sunday morning will be notably colder. Temperatures are expected to drop to 4°C, feeling closer to 2°C due to light winds.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
