Can thunderstorms trigger asthma attacks? The hidden health threat behind severe weather

THE TAKEAWAY

Thunderstorms often cast a dangerous yet beautiful display of natural weather patterns across the sky — one that can literally take your breath away in a "perfect storm" scenario.

Medical experts say severe thunderstorms can trigger a sudden surge in asthma attacks, even among people who don’t typically suffer from the condition.

"It's actually one of the most interesting phenomenons where medicine and weather come together," FOX News Medical Contributor Dr. Jessica Gray said.

FALL ALLERGIES OR A COLD? HERE’S HOW TO TELL WHAT’S MAKING YOU MISERABLE

Within minutes to hours after a thunderstorm passes through an area, especially during the high-pollen or mold seasons of spring and fall, people can experience a phenomenon known as "thunderstorm asthma."

It takes what Dr. Gray called a "perfect storm."

Thunderstorm asthma requires a specific combination of conditions: high airborne pollen levels, a strong storm with heavy rain, high humidity and powerful winds, and people who are sensitive to those allergens.

The storm’s updrafts can carry pollen into moisture-filled clouds, causing the grains to rupture into tiny fragments.

Downdrafts and gusty outflow winds can then push those particles toward the ground, where they can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

A sharp temperature drop and falling air pressure may accompany these storms, but the key risk comes from the combination of high pollen levels and strong, humid storm conditions.

HERE ARE THE 10 WORST ALLERGY CAPITALS IN THE US FOR 2026

It’s not just people diagnosed with asthma who may be vulnerable to thunderstorm asthma.

Those with seasonal allergies, hay fever or a sensitivity to airborne pollen can also experience sudden breathing problems even if they have never been diagnosed with asthma.

Like Dr. Gray said, thunderstorm asthma isn’t triggered by every rumble of thunder. It takes a very specific combination of pollen, humidity, wind and storm timing to create the right conditions.

During a thunderstorm, updrafts can loft large amounts of pollen into the cloud base, where moisture causes the grains to swell and rupture.

Cold downdrafts and gusty outflow winds can then carry the tiny pollen fragments back toward the ground, where they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms.

This isn’t the case with every storm, as steady rain can actually wash pollen out of the air and reduce allergy exposure.

FLORIDA BATTLES ITS LARGEST DENGUE OUTBREAK IN DECADES AS CASES SURGE ACROSS THE STATE

"It's these very specific combinations, that perfect storm, that can create the bursting of these pollen fragments just to be small enough that they can actually affect people more severely," Dr. Gray said.

While thunderstorm asthma events are rare, they can pose a serious public health threat.

That became clear on Nov. 21, 2016, when Melbourne, Australia, experienced what health officials called the world’s largest and most catastrophic recorded epidemic of thunderstorm asthma, sending thousands of people to emergency departments in a matter of hours.

In the 30 hours after severe thunderstorms swept through Melbourne on Nov. 21, 2016, the city recorded nearly 500 more asthma-related hospital admissions than expected, including 30 excess ICU admissions.

The event was also associated with at least nine additional deaths, according to the Victoria State Government.

WHY DO DOGS PANIC DURING STORMS? HERE'S HOW TO HELP YOUR BEST FRIEND WEATHER THEIR FEAR

For people with asthma or seasonal allergies, Dr. Gray warned that watching a storm from the back porch may not be a good idea during peak pollen season.

"If you have allergies, be aware that you may need to stay indoors during a strong thunderstorm. Close your windows and take steps to protect yourself," Dr. Gray said.

So, if you’re among the nearly 28 million people in the U.S. with asthma, monitoring the forecast and keeping prescribed medications close at hand may help reduce the risk of an asthma episode.

"You want to have your asthma inhaler in hand and think about these things a little bit more ahead of time," Dr. Gray said.