First things first: the UK sits at a pretty high latitude, but it gets a surprising amount of heat because of the Gulf Stream. This warm ocean current, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, acts like a giant, invisible radiator for our little island. When that stream wobbles or strengthens, we suddenly get a blast of air that feels like it’s been trucked in from the Sahara.
But here’s the kicker: our buildings and cities weren’t designed for this. Your average British home is a brilliant, cozy heat-trap in winter—but in summer, it’s basically an insulated oven. We lack the serious air conditioning culture of hotter countries, so when the heat comes, we just… suffer, beautifully.
