As Brits bask in balmy 31C temperatures this week, a meteorologist has revealed the real reason why the sweltering UK heat "feels more unbearable" than abroad.
It comes after yellow heat-health warnings were enforced across large parts of England, and one Canadian tourist has gone viral after complaining of heatstroke following a visit to the capital. The Reddit user reached out for advice after experiencing sunstroke symptoms, as they penned: "I'm on vacation in London and was outside basically all day today and I think I got heatstroke.
"I couldn’t keep my eyes open or see properly, couldn’t walk straight, and nearly fell down a flight of stairs. I’m Canadian but even in other countries I can cope with it better. Why is the heat here hotter even though it’s not as warm?"
Fortunately, meteorologist Dr Chris Hogan has revealed the reasons why heat in the UK can sometimes feel particularly uncomfortable. The expert, from KISTERS, said: "While in many cases the perception of heat in the UK is psychological, as it is unexpected so it may feel hotter than it actually is."
However, Dr Hogan highlighted that there are "tangible" causes too, with the first being "relative humidity". He continued: "In the UK, relative humidity is often higher than in countries with dry heat. This makes it harder for our bodies to cool down because sweat doesn't evaporate as well.
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"That's why you feel hotter and stickier. In contrast, in areas with dry heat, sweat evaporates more quickly and cools your body more effectively. This difference is why 35°C in a dry climate can feel more comfortable than 30°C with high relative humidity."
Another key factor is infrastructure, as UK buildings are designed to retain heat due to the typically cool and damp climate. Insulation that helps save energy in winter can make buildings stifling in a heatwave, especially without air conditioning.
It’s common for homes to have small windows and poor ventilation, which adds to the feeling of heat indoors. The expert added: "Also, in the UK, because we are not used to hot climates, we often maintain our usual household activities such as cooking or even boiling water, which of course adds more heat and moisture to our homes or living spaces – making it feel hotter.
"In contrast, buildings in hotter countries are often designed to stay cool, with features such as air conditioning, thick walls, small windows and efficient ventilation, and the buildings are often white. These design elements help to moderate indoor temperatures and maintain comfort in extreme heat."
What’s more, urban environments tend to be hotter than rural areas due to the 'heat island effect', where concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat. The meteorologist explained: "Cities such as London also have limited night-time cooling, which contributes to discomfort during a heatwave."
"In short, heat in the UK can feel intense because it's often the result of high relative humidity, inadequate ventilation in buildings designed to keep the heat in, and urban heat", Dr Hogan concluded.
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