Experts have explained why warm UK temperatures may feel particularly unbearable
Experts share why Britain may not be built for high temperatures amid UK heatwave(Image: PA)
With the UK experiencing its third heatwave of the summer this weekend as temperatures reach 32C in some parts of the country, many Brits will describe feeling uncomfortable in the hot conditions.
Though many Brits report enjoying the warmth whilst abroad, in countries generally warmer than the UK, many of us will say we struggle back home when high temperatures hit.
While current UK temperatures around 32C may not be as warm as elsewhere in the world, many Brits describe these temperatures as being unbearable, raising questions as to why we enjoy high temperatures whilst abroad but not at home.
But according to experts at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, there may be a simple answer to this question which lays within the country’s infrastructure.
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Anni Feng, built environment expert at the Institution of Engineering and Technology said: “When it’s really hot outside, many of us feel uncomfortable indoors too. That’s not just because of the building itself, but also because of what’s around it.
“Think of it like this: buildings don’t stand alone. The materials used in roads and nearby buildings can trap heat, making the whole area hotter. This extra heat can make people try to cool things down with fans or turn up air conditioning units.
Experts explain how temperatures in urban spaces may feel warmer(Image: PA)
“But if too many people do that at once, the local energy system might struggle to keep up. That can lead to problems like cooling systems not working properly, which could even affect things like computers and other equipment inside buildings.
“When considering how we adapt for hotter temperatures, we should ask the questions like what this might mean for surrounding buildings, the environment and people in the communities – both short term and long term – and are they contributing positively to the future we aspire to create?”
Alongside housing, experts suggest how the UK’s transport networks are not built for higher temperatures, unlike the infrastructure which is produced in countries that generally experience warmer conditions.
Dr John Easton, an executive panel member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Railway Technical Network, said: “One of the key ways that networks prevent tracks from overheating is by painting them white. This can reduce the track temperature by 5°C and reduces signalling failures which lead to significant disruption.
Experts say warm temperatures can lead to transport signalling failures, causing disruption(Image: PA)
“This technique is also used in countries where high temperatures are more commonplace, such as Italy, where engineers often paint the inside faces of the rails white to reflect the sunlight and lower the risk of buckling.”
With temperatures hitting around 32C in the UK today, warm conditions are expected to continue into the weekend with parts of the country potentially reaching up to 33C, according to Met Office temperature maps.
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