Thunderstorm asthma warning in SA

South Australians prone to sneezing and wheezing have been urged to prepare for asthma attacks over the Christmas period with thunderstorms and high pollen counts predicted.

The National Asthma Council of Australia says the thunderstorms forecast to hit after Boxing Day could trigger attacks not only for people with asthma but anyone who experiences serious hay fever.

"As we have seen with the recent events in Melbourne, any serious asthma attack can be life-threatening and have tragic consequences," the council's chairman Dr Jonathan Burdon said in a statement on Friday.