Thunderstorm asthma: at risk without a diagnosis?
In plain English
Hay fever, but never diagnosed with asthma? Thunderstorm asthma can still affect you. Certain thunderstorms, combined with high grass-pollen levels, can trigger sudden breathing symptoms.
People with spring hay fever (allergic rhinitis), current or past asthma, or undiagnosed asthma should understand their risk.
Before storm gusts arrive, go indoors and close windows and doors. Switch off cooling that brings outdoor air inside, follow your asthma action plan, and keep your prescribed reliever nearby.
Arrange a medical review for spring wheezing or breathlessness.
Severe breathing difficulty, trouble speaking or rapidly worsening symptoms need Triple Zero (000) straight away. Start asthma first aid. An asthma attack without an available reliever also needs an immediate ambulance call.
This page is general information. It does not announce an active storm warning, so check current local alerts.
Key numbers
- Who is at risk: spring hay fever, current or past asthma, or undiagnosed asthma.
- Before a storm: go indoors, close windows and doors, switch off cooling that brings outdoor air in, and keep your reliever nearby.
- Emergency: severe breathing trouble or rapidly worsening symptoms: call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Sources
These are the sources named in the video and its description.
- Monash Health SEPHU, Be prepared for thunderstorm asthma, published 19 Oct 2026
- NSW Health, Thunderstorm asthma factsheet, updated 25 Sep 2025
- Victorian Department of Health, epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast
- Better Health Channel, asthma emergency first aid
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Last checked: 4 November 2026. This is general information, not medical advice.
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