ITV Good Morning Britain star on why it feels 'hotter in the UK than abroad'
The UK has been basking in a heatwave this weekend, with temperatures soaring to 33C on Saturday (July 12) and expected highs of 31C today (July 13). The Met Office forecasts a slight temperature drop before cooler weather arrives on Monday, complete with "heavy spells of rain" across many regions.
Amber heat health warnings have been issued for the Midlands, southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday, while the scorching conditions have triggered a hosepipe ban affecting millions in England.
This marks the third heatwave to hit the nation this year, with further "hot spells or heatwaves" predicted to continue until the end of July, adding to the discomfort of many Brits. The sweltering heat in the UK often sparks a collective groan, with many claiming it feels "different" compared to the heat experienced abroad.
An American expat named Russell shared his epiphany on TikTok: "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."
Another American, going by @mortonmunchies online, expressed their struggle: "How are we surviving this heat? I'm not used to the heat and not having air conditioning.", reports the Mirror.
It seems that Brits have every right to grumble about the heat - there's a tangible reason why it feels more intense in the UK than in some other countries.
Good Morning Britain's weather expert Laura Tobin turned to social media to shed light on a common puzzle: "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."
Her explanation struck a chord with followers, sparking plenty of engagement from viewers eager to understand this weather mystery.
One grateful follower responded: "Thanks for clarifying that Laura. We wondered why we felt it so much."
Another chimed in with: "I've always wondered about this."
Meanwhile, a third user added their own insight: "Yup, humidity makes so much difference. Also in places like London, the urban heat island effect has a lot to answer for!".
NHS medic Dr Karan Raj recently jumped on TikTok to delve deeper into this very subject.
His explanation was characteristically direct: "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."
Another factor could be that British buildings simply aren't designed to handle soaring temperatures. Dr Raj explained: "In the UK, the buildings are designed to retain heat because the weather is usually cold, soggy and silly."
Plus, air conditioning isn't exactly standard kit in most homes here.
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth explained to Stylist that our perception of heat differs dramatically depending on location: "When we experience heat abroad, we're usually on holiday, and may be close to a pool or the beach."
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