Wetter Summer Could Offer Relief for NZ Allergy sufferers
Auckland, New Zealand – Forecasts of a potentially wetter summer across parts of New Zealand are offering a glimmer of hope for allergy sufferers, according too new research highlighting the link between rainfall and pollen seasons. While increased rainfall often supports plant growth, it can concurrently suppress pollen release and dispersal, potentially leading to shorter and less intense pollen seasons.
A recent study focusing on Auckland pollen seasons revealed a meaningful difference in duration linked to weather patterns.The grass pollen season in the La Niña summer of 1988/89 lasted just 41 days, a stark contrast to the 77 days recorded during the 2023/24 El Niño summer. Researchers observed that periods of excessive or sustained rainfall can inhibit pollen release, and even ‘flush’ existing airborne pollen from the atmosphere.
“during warmer, drier years, pollen counts rise,” explains the study, noting that moderate rainfall – sufficient for growth but interspersed with dry, sunny, and windy days – allows for higher pollen levels.
While the study acknowledges the limited dataset of three seasons examined over a 35-year interval, the observed pattern aligns with expectations regarding weather’s influence on pollen. Researchers emphasize the importance of continued pollen monitoring to fully understand the causes and consequences of seasonal allergies.
Looking ahead, climate change projections for auckland suggest increasingly drier and warmer springs and summers, potentially leading to higher pollen counts and worsening allergy symptoms. However, forecasts predicting a shift towards La Niña conditions this summer offer a potential reprieve.
complex predictive models can forecast changing La Niña and El Niño phases months in advance. understanding these phases and their impact on pollen levels allows for proactive allergy management,focusing on both treatment and avoidance of triggers. Further research indicates rising temperatures, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, and altered precipitation patterns all likely have an impact on pollen levels across New Zealand.
