The UK has been basking under scorching temperatures this weekend, with mercury soaring to 33C on Saturday (July 12) and an anticipated sizzle of up to 31C today (July 13).
With amber heat health alerts issued for parts of England until 9am on Monday, the relentless heat has prompted hosepipe restrictions affecting millions. The heat is set to relent slightly, the Met Office warns of “heavy spells of rain” to accompany the cooler weather starting Monday.
However, as the third heatwave continues to scorch the nation this year, expectations are that more “hot spells or heatwaves” could last through to the end of July, escalating discomfort for many Brits. When it’s hot in the UK, there seems to be an unanimous opinion that it’s “different” than when it’s hot abroad. People in the UK are known for loving to complain about the weather.
An American residing in the UK, Russell, confirmed the peculiar intensity of the British sun on TikTok, stating: “I am never doubting a Brit again when they tell me that the UK sun hits different. I feel like I’m in a sauna.”
Online content creator @mortonmunchies, another US national, shared their struggle: “How are we surviving this heat? I’m not used to the heat and not having air conditioning.” But it turns out Brits have a good reason to moan when it’s hot – because there’s a reason it feels hotter in the UK than some other places.
Good Morning Britain’s weather expert Laura Tobin has taken to social media to shed light on the topic, explaining: “Some people might be thinking, when I’m on holiday and it’s 30 degrees, it never feels anywhere near as hot as it is when we’re in the UK. Why is that? It is down to humidity. The humidity in the UK is much higher. A higher humidity means that when you sweat you can’t evaporate that sweat as quickly and it means that you feel hotter. So the temperatures in the UK and abroad are the same, but it does feel hotter here in the UK.”
The post sparked a flurry of responses, with one social media user appreciating the clarity: “Thanks for clarifying that Laura. We wondered why we felt it so much.”
Another person expressed their curiosity: “I’ve always wondered about this.”
Someone else chimed in, highlighting an additional factor: “Yup, humidity makes so much difference. Also in places like London, the urban heat island effect has a lot to answer for!”.
To further demystify the sweltering confusion, NHS doctor Dr Karan Raj offered his insights on TikTok, noting: “In the UK, the relative humidity is higher than in countries with dry heat. This makes it harder for our bodies to cool down because sweat doesn’t evaporate as well. So you feel hot and sticky like a roast barbecue pig. This is why 35C in a dry climate can feel more comfortable than 25C in a place with high relative humidity.”
Experts also point out that the UK’s buildings are not equipped to handle the high temperatures, as they are typically designed to retain warmth due to the country’s usually chilly climate. Dr Raj noted: “In the UK, the buildings are designed to retain heat because the weather is usually cold, soggy and silly.”
Additionally, air conditioning is not a common feature in UK homes.
According to Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meteorologist, the way we experience heat in the UK compared to abroad is also a significant factor. “When we experience heat abroad, we’re usually on holiday, and may be close to a pool or the beach.”