• High levels of pollen are predicted in most parts of Australia over the next week
• Experts warn the worst is yet to come as grass pollen hits at the end of the month
• Canberra and Adelaide are among the cities expected to see the worst levels

There's been an extreme start to the allergy season in Canberra with several days of high-pollen levels recorded, and experts are warning there could be more to come.

It was the fifth-warmest winter on record and the eighth-driest in New South Wales. But for anyone who suffers from springtime sniffles, a dry winter means a lower than average pollen count come spring.

Spring, when the weather starts to get warmer, the magpies come out swooping and two words become a common phrase: bless-you! This year, experts will be monitoring the spring season closely, in particular, hay fever caused by pollen

To celebrate the oncoming season of the sneeze, we explore the world of pollen with ThatPollenGuy, Professor Simon Haberle - we talk ancient roadways, 3d printing, huge sneezes and excellent pollen collections!

Canberra could experience up to four days of extreme conditions this pollen season that could trigger a potential thunderstorm asthma event, a leading expert has said.

Despite a brief reprieve from the wintry months this week, Canberra's first week of spring is looking blustery and cloudy, as is much of south-eastern Australia.

The number of serious cases of pollen allergies and hayfever presented to Canberra emergency departments has increased over the past year.

The Canberra region's peak season for pollen is predicted to start about a week early, possibly due to climate change.

Spring has sprung.