Canberrans warned of severe winds, thunderstorm asthma over the weekend

A particular type of thunderstorm, which could take place this weekend, combined with high grass pollen levels could cause some people to develop severe asthma symptoms rapidly, the ACT Health Directorate said in a public health alert.

ACT Health said people who suffer from hay fever and asthma should monitor their condition over the weekend, carry puffers, avoid being outside during storms and keep windows and doors closed inside.

Anyone whose symptoms are not relieved by their usual asthma treatment should seek urgent medical advice.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting a possible gusty thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening on Saturday, while Sunday could see a severe thunderstorm with damaging winds.

BOM expects winds of 25 to 35 km per hour on Saturday morning, with wind-speed reaching up to 30 to 45 km per hour on Sunday.

"By Sunday, they are going to be extremely fast-moving, such that monitoring radar may not be necessarily enough," BOM senior forecaster Jordan Notara said.

"We want to preemptively warn the community for putting away things that are outside so that they don't become projectiles and knowing that as we head into Sunday in particular that we are going to be starting to see some widespread potential impact for the effects of damaging winds.

"The storms themselves have the chance of moving above 100 kilometres an hour, basically what you would say 'storm relative speed', so the storm itself heading towards you."

Health authorities said the warning should be taken as a reminder to people suffering from asthma or hay fever to ensure their treatment and action plans were up to date during the pollen season.

Thunderstorm asthma is a rare event and is not caused by all types of storms, with October to December the period during which Canberrans should remain vigilant.

The risk could be heightened this year due to wetter conditions, prompting grass growth and more frequent storms in the region.

Canberrans can monitor pollen levels with the free AirRater Smartphone app, which provides users with real-time information on air quality.

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