October 14th, 2024Thunderstorm asthma warning: grass growth tipped to spike pollen levels

The state’s asthma and hayfever sufferers are being warned to plan ahead for high to extreme pollen count days expected to peak in the coming months, increasing the possibility of dangerous thunderstorm asthma events.

Thunderstorm asthma events are thought to be triggered by an unusual mix of high levels of grass pollen and a certain type of thunderstorm.

During these storms tiny pollen grains from grasses can be swept up in the wind and carried long distances.  When exposed to this air, the tiny particles of pollen are breathed deep into your lungs, triggering an asthma flare-up or attack. 

Although the official pollen season starts in October, the highest number of extreme pollen days in the Ballarat region are recorded in November and December according to data from Melbourne Pollen Count and Forecast’s Creswick monitoring station.

Since pollen monitoring began in Victoria in 2017 after a major 2016 thunderstorm asthma event which resulted in the deaths of 10 people statewide there have generally been only a handful of high or extreme pollen days recorded in October – but up to 23 extreme days in December.

This year, with a forecast for above-average spring rainfall, a burst of grass growth is anticipated toward the end of the season in November-December – potentially bad news for people with hayfever and asthma.

Although the Creswick pollen monitoring station, based at the University of Melbourne campus, was down for part of the pollen season last year, it still recorded 14 extreme and 20 high pollen days.

Data from the eight pollen monitoring sites across the state are used, together with weather forecasts, to help provide thunderstorm asthma alerts and pollen advice.