Heat, humidity and housing: why British heatwaves hit differently
5 hours ago
- #humidity
- #acclimatization
- #heatwaves
- Humidity in the UK causes sweat to evaporate slowly, reducing the body's cooling efficiency and increasing health risks.
- UK homes are designed for heat retention in winter, acting as thermal batteries that worsen indoor temperatures during heatwaves.
- Britain lacks acclimatization to sudden heatwaves, unlike hotter countries with gradual temperature rises and heat-adapted routines.
- Long summer days in the UK extend heat absorption by buildings and surfaces, delaying nighttime cooling and disrupting sleep.
- Tropical nights with high humidity prevent body recovery, compounded by urban heat island effects, making heatwaves more dangerous.