Andy Whittamore: Last News

fresh Saharan dust bomb is set to blanket parts of the UK later this week in what is proving to be 2022's strangest weather phenomenon. According to aerosol forecasts from weather agency Copernicus, a sheet of dust - sometimes also referred to as 'blood rain' - will blow up through northern Africa this week and wind towards Western Europe.

As temperatures soar to 25C in some parts of the country this weekend, a charity has warned that rising pollen levels could leave people at risk of life-threatening asthma attacks. The pollen count is forecast to hit high levels across most of England and Wales on Friday and Saturday (14 May) as the temperature gets warmer and the sun makes an appearance.

asthma attacks.Experts said more than three million people in the UK have breathing conditions which could flare up as the temperatures begin to soar.Dr Andy Whittamore, of Asthma and Lung UK, said: “These attacks can leave people fighting for breath, which can be terrifying.“When pollen levels are at their highest this can be deadly for those with lung conditions, like asthma, who can suffer serious symptoms and have life-threatening attacks.“People should check pollen and air pollution forecasts in their local area, so they can avoid going outdoors as much as possible on high pollen days.”The medic also advised people to use preventer inhalers to reduce airway swelling before it starts – and to carry reliever inhalers to relax muscles if pollen levels rise suddenly.Britain will slap on the sun cream during a five-day “Bermuda Bake” next week as the mercury hits the mid to high-20s. Tropical air driven by a weather pattern known as a Bermuda high will sweep in from Sunday.

Children with severe asthma should not return to school when they reopen in England next week, experts are saying.