With parts of the UK roasting in temperatures of over 30C today, many Brits are struggling to handle the heat. The UK often gets ribbed for how its residents react to summertime’s heat, especially given that other parts of Europe frequently endure far hotter summers.
However, NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan, who regularly takes to TikTok to demystify health issues, insists there’s more to the British discomfort than just an inability to handle the heat. Last June, he tackled the topic after seeing a fellow creator complaining about the sweltering conditions.
Addressing his followers, Dr Rajan asked: “Why does the heat in the UK feel even hotter than when you’re abroad? Excluding the fact the British love to complain about everything, weather included, there are a few rational explanations for this temperature perception glitch.”
High humidity
According to Dr Rajan, the mix of high temperatures and humidity plays a pivotal role, as they combine to create an intensely muggy atmosphere, distinctly uncomfortable compared to a dry heat.
For the UK, the specific culprit is “relative humidity”, which – as Dr Rajan enlightened – represents the “amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature”.
He said: “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 35 degrees in a dry climate can feel more comfortable than 25 degrees in a place with high relative humidity.”
Insulated buildings
The way British homes are built also contributes to the discomfort during warmer weather, reports the Express.
Dr Rajan said: “In the UK the buildings are designed to retain heat because the weather is usually cold, soggy and silly. The same insulation that helps save energy in the winter makes buildings a greenhouse in the summer, especially without air conditioning, which most UK homes don’t have. In contrast, buildings in warmer climates are designed to stay cool.”
He continued: “Thick walls, large windows, sometimes even with window shutters and coloured coatings on the buildings to deflect heat.” Dr Rajan jokingly added: “The British are just notoriously bad at dealing with the heat, and the cold, and the rain”.
Social media users chimed in on the discussion about the unique challenges of British heat. One person commented: “I’m from Spain and I’ve dealt better with 45C in summer than the 27C that we’ve had today in London.”
Another shared their experience: “I lived in a different country for 25 years with 30 to 36C minimum in the summer. It was fine. In the UK it’s 25C and I’m dying..the sun burns like hell as well compared to my home.” However, one sceptical user added: “I think some Brits need to visit Houston in August.”
Given the sharp hike in temperatures, certain groups, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health issues, should take extra care. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) together with the Met Office have activated an amber heat-health alert (HHA) for five regions across England, plus a yellow warning for two additional areas.
These alerts – an amber one for The East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England, and the yellow one for Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands – are scheduled to remain until 6pm on Tuesday, July 1.
Health and social care providers have been cautioned by the UKHSA about the potential strains on their services owing to the climatic conditions, which could include weather-related deaths. For advice on how to stay safe and cool during the hot weather, check out the guidance from the UKHSA.
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