The pollen count - and allergic reactions to it - is set to rise this coming summer because of a rainy winter and early spring which boosted the growth of grass.

"This year's grass pollen season has the potential to be much stronger than 2024," Simon Haberle of the Australian National University said.

But a bad year for asthmatics and hay fever sufferers isn't quite certain yet.

It depends on this month and next. "September and October will be critical. If conditions stay wet, we can expect higher pollen levels. If it's dry, the season could remain closer to average," Professor Haberle said.

Last year wasn't so bad for pollen, recording only four high pollen days and 23 moderate pollen days (as categorised by the Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast , which Professor Haberle runs).

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