They Moved From US to UK-Now They're Struggling in ‘Unforgiving' Climate

Americans living in the United Kingdom warn that summer heat there can feel more intense than in parts of the United States, despite often lower thermometer readings.

Social media users and expats have been sharing their experiences online, describing the heat in the U.K. as more "oppressive" and harder to escape-largely due to humidity, infrastructure, and lifestyle differences.

Recent days have seen unprecedented record-breaking high temperatures across parts of the U.K., with southern England surpassing 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and approaching around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) in some areas, according to the U.K.'s Met Office.

Experts say the trend is part of a broader pattern that the U.K.'s climate is warming, with more frequent and intense heatwaves linked to climate change. The country's 10 warmest years have all occurred since 2006, according to the Met Office.

On Thursday, a report from the Met Office released by the World Meteorological Organization found there is a 91 percent chance that average global temperatures will temporarily exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels during at least one year between 2026 and 2030.

‘A Much More Unforgiving, Muggy Heat'

For Russell Valentin, 32, the reality of the U.K. summer climate became clear after moving from Chicago to London.

Reflecting on his experience, Valentin told Newsweek that while temperatures may rise higher in the U.S., the heat in Britain "feels so much worse." He added, "Americans are weak and don't know real heat," in the caption of a TikTok video he shared from @redbusruss this week about the U.K. heat.

"Compared to Chicago, it's a much more unforgiving, intense, muggy heat," he said, noting that the hottest temperature he had experienced in the U.K. was about 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

He also noted that British housing compounds the issue. Homes are built to retain heat, meaning "staying inside the house is like hanging out in a literal oven," he told Newsweek.

Valentin said he initially relied on blackout curtains and fans to cope, but eventually purchased a portable air conditioner, which has "definitely taken the edge off."

Adjusting From US Heat to UK Summers

For Marissa Parks, a millennial nurse from Texas now living in London, the adjustment has been equally striking. "The heat here feels different than what I am used to in Texas," she told Newsweek.

Parks also shared a TikTok video this week addressing the U.K. heat on her account @mp_xoxox9 in a shoutout to "fellow heatwave victims."

Having grown up in Austin and later living in Houston, Parks said extreme heat is a normal part of daily life in Texas, where temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) can persist for weeks or even months.

But her experience has been different in the U.K., where she moved to London in January 2025. While temperatures in Britain may not match Texas highs, the conditions can still feel more difficult.

"The worst temperatures I've experienced in the U.K. were last summer, when I believe the temperatures got up to almost 35 degrees Celsius [95 degrees Fahrenheit], which would not raise an eyebrow by Texas standards but still caught people off guard," she said.

Parks described the heat in Britain as "heavier, almost oppressive," attributing this to differences in infrastructure and lifestyle. In Texas, air conditioning is widespread, and daily routines are designed to avoid peak heat.

By contrast, London sees longer summer days with typically no air conditioning inside homes, and life in the capital often involves walking, using public transport, and spending time outdoors, she noted.

Why the Heat Feels Worse

Experts say the perception that heat in the U.K. is more intense is grounded in scientific factors.

Alexander Matveenko, a climate tech expert and co-founder of tech startup Rainbow Weather, said that heat stress depends on a range of conditions beyond temperature alone, including humidity, wind, and how well buildings cool at night.

"Heat can be felt differently as well," he told Newsweek, noting that the U.K.'s climate and built environment combine to create unique effects.

High humidity plays a significant role. During U.K. heatwaves, humidity often remains elevated overnight, preventing the body from recovering from heat. The humidity limits the evaporation of sweat-the body's main cooling mechanism-making it harder to regulate temperature.

Matveenko added that this can mean an 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) day in London places similar physiological stress on the body as a 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) day in Phoenix.

A Changing Climate

Scientists say these challenges are likely to grow as the climate continues to warm.

Climate studies show that the rate of warming since 1982 is more than three times as fast today, at around 0.20 degrees Celsius per decade, according to the Climate.gov website of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

As a result, conditions that once felt unusual are now becoming part of a new normal-leaving even those accustomed to hot climates in the U.S. surprised by how the heat in the U.K. feels different.

Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 11:24 AM.