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UK Seasonal Air Quality Calendar

Month-by-month guide to air quality challenges and how to prepare

January

Pollen:Low
Pollution:Moderate-High
Key threats:
  • •Indoor air stagnation
  • •Heating emissions
Top tip:

Run purifier more

February

Pollen:Low-Moderate
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Tree pollen starts
  • •Cold air inversions
Top tip:

Prepare for pollen

March

Pollen:High
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Tree pollen peaks
  • •Saharan dust events
Top tip:

Start hay fever meds early

April

Pollen:Very High
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Tree pollen high
  • •Grass pollen starts
Top tip:

Shower after outdoors

May

Pollen:Very High
Pollution:Moderate-High
Key threats:
  • •Grass pollen begins
  • •Oil seed rape pollen
Top tip:

Peak hay fever prep

June

Pollen:Extreme
Pollution:High
Key threats:
  • •Grass pollen peak
  • •Ozone pollution
Top tip:

Stay indoors 6-10am

July

Pollen:Very High
Pollution:Moderate-High
Key threats:
  • •Grass pollen continues
  • •Nettle pollen
Top tip:

Evening outdoors better

August

Pollen:High
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Weed pollen starts
  • •Mold spores rising
Top tip:

Watch for storms

September

Pollen:Moderate
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Mold spore peak
  • •Ragweed pollen
Top tip:

Address damp issues

October

Pollen:Low
Pollution:Moderate-High
Key threats:
  • •Indoor mold risk
  • •Heating startup dust
Top tip:

Check heating filters

November

Pollen:Low
Pollution:High (early month)
Key threats:
  • •Bonfire night pollution
  • •Guy Fawkes particles
Top tip:

Stay indoors Nov 5th

December

Pollen:Low
Pollution:Moderate
Key threats:
  • •Christmas candles
  • •Wood burner season
Top tip:

Avoid scented products

Peak Alert Periods

  • June: Grass pollen extreme - worst hay fever month
  • March-April: Tree pollen surge + Saharan dust
  • November 5th: Bonfire Night pollution spike
  • January: Cold air inversions trap pollution

Year-Round Protection

  • HEPA/MERV-16 filtration: Essential all year
  • Bedroom priority: 8 hours of clean air sleep
  • Filter changes: Every 6 months minimum
  • AQI monitoring: Check daily forecasts

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Free to share with attribution | Updated for 2026