Extreme pollen count in Baden-Württemberg - experts give advice for allergy sufferers and car owners

Created: 05/13/2022, 17:11

By: Jason Blaschke

The blossom and pollen flight in Baden-Württemberg is making many people despair.

As soon as the windows, car etc. are clean, the next load arrives.

Stuttgart – Many people in Baden-Württemberg are currently enjoying the summer temperatures in May.

The "heat comes to us like a spear," says meteorologist Dominik Jung, referring to the next few days, which will be characterized by temperatures above 25 degrees.

On May 17th and 18th, according to current forecasts, the temperatures should even reach almost 30 degrees.

To the delight of many sun worshipers, the weather in Baden-Württemberg in May will not change much at first.

Pollen flight in BW takes on extreme proportions - expert reveals the reasons

And that is exactly what is also a great danger, since hot early summers with little rain can have serious consequences for the animal and plant world.

"It's clearly too warm for the current time of year," says Jung.

Many people in Baden-Württemberg are currently experiencing a consequence of the current weather conditions.

We are talking about the yellow-brown pollen layer that is currently soiling many windows, cars and garden furniture in the southwest.

Blossoms and pollen are nothing unusual in May, but the extent is currently extreme - even from an expert's point of view.

Curator Robert Gliniars from the Hohenheim Gardens in Stuttgart knows the reasons for the current pollen problem.

In the

he names a lot of rain and the absence of late frosts in winter and spring as two important pollen boosters.

In addition, there is the wind, which is currently distributing the pollen well, and the fact that 2022 is a so-called "mast year".

Allergy sufferers more affected in 2022?

A look at the type of pollen gives answers

A mast year is a year when the trees are particularly flowering and fruiting, Gliniars said.

This primarily affects conifers such as spruce, fir or yew, which would not produce as much pollen in normal years.

So do allergy sufferers in Baden-Württemberg currently have to be particularly careful in nature?

The pollen expert gives the all-clear: "The conifers are what produce the most pollen, but they are not allergenic."

Nevertheless, people with a pollen allergy should be on their guard at the moment.

According to

, pollen from deciduous trees and grasses is now mixed into the large mass of conifer pollen.

summarizes what all allergy sufferers already need to know about pollen count in Germany

in a service article.

Also to be considered are the consequences that pollen can cause on the car.

Pollen as far as the eye can see: in Baden-Württemberg the pollen count is currently taking on extreme proportions and obscuring the view of drivers.

© Maurizio Gambarini/dpa

Blossom and pollen dust soils cars: important tips for cleaning

Rain alone does not loosen the pollen, said Michael Auras from the washing park in Asperg (Ludwigsburg district) in the

.

With a view to the dirty windows, he therefore recommends going to a car wash.

Cleaning the driveway is not a good idea - in Germany it is forbidden by law on unsealed surfaces.

It should also be noted that cleaning with a dry cloth can cause scratches in the paintwork.

According to reports in the

(StZ), a damp cloth should always be used for cleaning.

Two buckets can also help so that the dirt from the wrung-out cloth does not end up back on the clean window pane.

Annoying pollen should be vacuumed out of door grooves and crevices.

Instructions on how to do this without much effort can be found in the service article on how to wash your car correctly after Sahara dust, which last caused problems in March.

Hold on with a thorough car wash - the pollen count will soon be over

According to curator Robert Gliniars, however, it is advisable to wait two to three weeks before cleaning cars, windows and the like, if possible.

Because then the native trees are through with the blossom.

Although the pollen count can continue after that, the main producers are then finished.

And with a bit of luck, the windows and cars will stay clean a little longer – at least according to current forecasts, the weather will play along.