People in the UK love to complain about the weather and this could be justified after much of the UK is predicted to enter the fourth heatwave of 2025.
All of England is currently under hot weather health warnings as the country bakes in yet another heatwave, with temperatures potentially reaching 34°C in southern areas and hosepipe bans in force.
Amber warnings are in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London and the south east until Wednesday, with yellow warnings in place across the rest of England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned health and social care could be ‘significantly’ impacted due to the high temperatures.
Dr Paul Coleman, a consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: ‘These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions – so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun’
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While the UK has been gripped by hot temperatures this week, Americans across social media have been posting about how 30°C feels hotter in the UK compared to being abroad.
‘The UK sun hits different’
A TikTok user called redbusruss said: ‘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 on TikTok called kalanighosthunter posted a video of himself putting his face in a freezer and joked that Britain conquered the world to escape the heat.
‘I always thought British people were lying when they said how hot it is over here but for some reason it just feels like you are melting,’ kalanighosthunter also said on his TikTok account.
An American who has spent three summers in the UK with the TikTok username mortonsmunchies said: ‘How are we surviving this heat? I’m not used to the heat and not having air conditioning.’
So why does the UK feel hotter than other countries when temperatures get like this? We take a look below.
Why do the hot temperatures feel different in the UK?
Quite rightly, people are wondering why the temperatures always feel sweltering when it gets to this time of the year.
Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon has a few answers and told Metro: ‘Meteorologically, the UK air tends to be more humid compared to that in continental Europe.
‘High humidity can make it harder for sweat to evaporate, which is how we naturally cool ourselves down.’
Another reason behind why we are all feeling so hot right now is the way in which our houses are built.
‘Houses in Europe are often more adapted to higher temperatures, allowing those inside to stay cool,’ Stephen explained.
‘While many in the UK need well insulated homes for those cold winter months, which means they naturally retain heat.’
How to stay cool in the hot weather
- If going outside between the hours of 11am and 3pm, avoid the heat where possible, seek shade, apply sunscreen, wear a hat and light clothing.
- To stay cool, eat cold meals and drink beverages but steer clear of alcohol, caffeine and warm drinks. Take a cool shower or apply cool water to your skin and clothing.
- To maintain a cool environment at home, shut windows during hotter hours and open them at night. Use electric fans when the temperature is below 35°C.
- Keep an eye on temperatures in rooms, especially those used by vulnerable individuals.
Source: NHS
The last factor is all down to people’s mentality which is different to when they are abroad on holiday.
Stephen added: ‘When people from the UK go abroad, they’re often well-prepared for heat.
‘Many European countries have a routine (meal times) that are adapted to it being hot.
‘The heat can sometimes feel worse in the UK simply down to not expecting it in the same way people do when they go abroad.’
When will the UK heatwave end?
The Met Office says temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday before slowly declining over the rest of the week, with thunderstorms also predicted on Wednesday.
A Met Office spokesperson explained when the heatwave is likely to end: ‘Thursday will be another widely warm and dry day, with sunny spells for most. A few showers may develop in the north, which could be heavy and thundery at times, becoming confined to northern Scotland later on.
‘A north/south split is likely on Friday, with cloudier conditions and some patchy rain or drizzle in parts of the north, but plenty of fine and sunny weather in the south.
‘Temperatures in that sunshine are likely to peak at 30°C. There is the possibility of a few showers or thunderstorms in the southwest later on Friday and into the weekend.
‘The weekend looks largely settled, with plenty of dry and sunny weather expected across the UK.
‘Temperatures look to be near average in the north and east, but warm or very warm elsewhere, potentially peaking into the high 20s to low 30s°C in the south west, where there will also be the possibility of some showers or thunderstorms at times.’
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