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Madrid breathes worse due to the combination of heat, African dust and pollen
Madrid faces a day of heavy air, heat and respiratory discomfort for many people. The combination of suspended African dust, temperatures above 30 degrees and high pollen levels makes the day particularly uncomfortable for people with allergies or asthma, older people, children and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
The episode comes amid rising temperatures. The forecast points to highs of 34 ºC this Wednesday, 35 ºC on Thursday and up to 36 ºC on Friday, with clear skies and dry conditions. That stability helps particles remain in the air longer and makes the atmosphere feel more oppressive, especially on streets with heavy traffic and little shade.
The haze is compounded by the pollen peak typical of these weeks. The Community of Madrid maintains pollen alerts until 30 June, and recent data point to high olive levels in places such as Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, Coslada, Getafe, Arganzuela and the Salamanca neighbourhood. Significant episodes of grasses and plantago have also been recorded, two allergens that are very troublesome in spring.
For people with allergies, the problem is not merely more sneezing. The combination of pollen, dust and heat can cause itchy eyes, congestion, coughing, fatigue, chest tightness or worsening asthma. Even people without a previous diagnosis may notice throat and nose irritation if they spend a long time outdoors.
The recommendations are fairly clear: avoid strenuous exercise outdoors, reduce outings in the middle of the day, wear an FFP2 mask if extensive walking is unavoidable, wear sunglasses and keep windows closed when the air is more laden. At home, it is advisable to air rooms only briefly, preferably early in the morning before the heat rises.
It also helps to shower on returning home, change clothes and avoid drying garments outdoors if there is a lot of pollen. In the car, it is better to drive with the windows closed and check the anti-pollen filters, especially for those making long journeys on the M-30, M-40 or metropolitan approaches.
The situation should improve when the wind changes or a cleaner air mass arrives, but meanwhile Madrid is operating at a different pace: less outdoor sport, more indoor plans and greater attention to air quality before going out. Haze is no longer a distant rarity; it appears increasingly often in the city and, when it coincides with spring pollen, turns something as basic as breathing into another part of daily planning.