Why do high temperatures 'hit differently' in Ireland?

Extra.ie​

11-07-2025

The country is set to feel the heat as the temperatures soar to highs of 27C… which is when continental Europeans tell us that, that 'isn't that hot.'
As I'm writing this, I'm sat in a study that has been doubling as a sauna, with Met Éireann putting the country under a high temperature warning.
Compare this to sunseekers who are on holiday in hotspots such as Portugal and Tenerife, where temperatures similar to what we have here are considered a bit chilly, but those people are usually quietened when they actually experience this type of heat. But why? The heat just feels different here, with it feeling like a sauna in some parts. Pic: Getty Images
The main thing that makes Irish heat a different beast is simple, it's the humidity.
Humidity can be a slog for anyone no matter the temperature, but it's much worse when it's hot out, as a dry heat would make your sweat evaporate easily. That isn't the case when it's humid out however, as not only do you get to feel like you're drinking the air, but your sweat isn't evaporating, meaning you're not cooling down.
Another reason for this is how Irish homes are built. Of course, these heatwaves are a once in a blue moon thing rather than a regular occurrence of sunshine and 99s, and the weather is far more consistent in the winter, when it's freezing cold and pouring rain. The humidity and houses retaining heat are what gets us. Pic: RollingNews.ie
With this, homes in Ireland are built to retain heat. This means that while you'll be nice and warm during the cold winter months as the heat remains in your house, that heat will remain in your house year round, so if it's 27C outside, the heat will be retained, turning your home into a sauna.
As well as this, the mentality of going on holiday is expected. When you go to Iberian countries such as Spain and Portugal, you're expecting it to be sunny and hot, so you're packing the sunscreen and swim shorts.
In Ireland, we don't have said preparations, rather you are given a day or two's notice about the heat and sun, so our routine is usually to prepare for mild and cold temperatures. As well as this, there's just a different mentality with people expecting heat when they go to hot countries — not here. Pic: Getty
Speaking of sunscreen, we at Extra.ie have a handy guide on how to stay sun safe this heatwave.