Craig Rich was the BBC's first regional forecaster. His weather forecasts can be heard each weekday on BBC Radio Devon and seen on Spotlight. Each month Craig writes a feature for Devon Online taking a seasonal look at the county's weather. Although lots of people look forward to the warmer weather that spring and summer should bring, for around 12 million people in the country it's the worst time of year. It's hay fever season and the runny noses, sneezing, and wheezing are in full flow.
Hay fever is the most common allergic disorder.
There are ranges of different pollen which can affect us, although 95 per cent of those with hay fever suffer because of grass pollen. It is these histamines which produce the symptoms associated with hay fever. In early to mid-May tree pollen can be a problem. Pollen forecasts are included in weather forecasts so that those who have hay fever can find out how bad the day will be and make decisions about what they should avoid doing. The forecasts are based on data from the National Pollen Research Institute, combined with the latest weather patterns.