23/06/2026
Why does heat feel worse in the UK?
You often see people say, "It's 30°C abroad and nobody makes a fuss." But 30°C in the UK can feel very different to 30°C somewhere with a much drier climate, and there are a few good reasons for that.
As someone who spent 5 years living in Thailand I can speak with some knowledge on this. We are just not set up as a country for high heat!
The first big reason is humidity. The UK is an island, surrounded by water, so when warm air moves in, it can often carry a lot of moisture with it. That makes the air feel heavy, sticky and uncomfortable.
Your body cools itself down by sweating. But when the air is already holding a lot of moisture, sweat does not evaporate as easily. That means your body finds it harder to cool down, so the heat feels more oppressive.
The second reason is our homes and buildings. UK homes are built to keep heat in, not let it out. That is great in winter, but during a hot spell it can make houses, flats, care homes and workplaces feel like little greenhouses. Air conditioning is also far less common here than in many hotter countries, so once the heat builds up indoors, there often isn't much escape from it.
The third reason is the urban heat effect.
If you live in a town, city or built-up area, it can feel much hotter than the surrounding countryside. Roads, pavements, brick walls and buildings absorb heat during the day, then slowly release it again into the evening and overnight. That is why some places stay uncomfortably warm long after sunset, and why the next day can start warm before the sun has even had chance to do much.
So yes, hot weather happens in summer. Nobody is disputing that.
But heat in the UK can feel very different because of humidity, the way our buildings are designed, and how built-up areas hold onto warmth.
Do you find UK heat harder to deal with than heat abroad?
John - KWU
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