Pollen levels are expected to increase over the next five days, with a transition from generally low levels at the start of the period to moderate, high and very high levels by the weekend and into early next week.
Elevated pollen levels are driven by grass, with weed pollen also present.
On Thursday, pollen levels remain low across all regions of the UK. This reflects the unsettled and wetter weather conditions, which help to suppress pollen release and keep concentrations in the air relatively low.
Into Friday, levels begin to rise, particularly across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many areas will see moderate to high levels developing, especially in central and southern regions, while Scotland largely holds on to low levels for a little longer.
By the weekend, pollen levels are forecast to rise more widely. High levels are expected across many parts of England and Wales, with some regions experiencing very high levels, particularly in the Midlands, southern England and Wales.
Northern Ireland and parts of northern England will also see increasing levels, rising to high by Sunday. In contrast, Scotland will generally maintain lower levels, although some areas may see moderate levels at times.
Looking ahead to Monday, pollen levels are expected to become very high across much of England and Wales, with high levels also affecting Northern Ireland and parts of northern England. Scotland is likely to continue seeing comparatively lower levels, though moderate to high levels are possible in some southern areas.
The pollen forecast is updated each day here.
READ MORE: How does weather affect pollen and can pets get hay fever?
What are the different types of pollen?
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.
How do I access the Met Office Pollen forecast?
You can access our pollen forecast on the Met Office website or download our app to get pollen alerts sent straight to your phone.
You can also keep up to date with weather warnings, and find the latest weather forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
