These Americans reacting to UK heatwaves are the only thing making this sticky weather bearable

The UK is currently on what feels like day 1,000 of a crippling heatwave, and as temperatures rise to as much as 32 degrees in some areas, Americans and Brits are once again beefing about the heat.

It must be summertime because publications across the UK are publishing articles about our little island being hotter than Ibiza, Barcelona, and so on. Naturally, this pushes Americans to come out of the woodwork and seemingly forget that our two countries operate on different temperature scales. Nonetheless, I can’t stop watching TikTok’s of Americans truly experiencing what we complain about year on year.

Americans have been sharing their reactions to UK heat – but is it really that different?

Today becomes the UK’s hottest day during May in recorded history at a high of 34.8C.

(https://t.co/JxdyvoPbph) pic.twitter.com/6Q3E348TBD

— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 25, 2026

Each year, as summer rolls around and we Brits get more and more irritated when not rooted in some overly sticky local pub garden, you often hear phrases like “UK heat is just different” compared to other places in the world, namely America and mainland Europe. But how much of that is actually true?

“The level of humidity can be higher in the UK than in continental Europe. If humidity is high, it is harder for the human body to keep cool as your sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly,” a spokesperson for the Met Office told MyLondon. “This is made worse given that we are experiencing more ‘tropical nights’ – nights where the temperature doesn’t go below 20C, meaning we get no respite from the heat and time for our body to recover.”

There are also other factors to consider, specifically, how buildings in the UK are not designed for heatwaves. They are literally built to keep heat trapped inside, and without the added benefit of air conditioning units places such as America take for granted, we’re all left sweating and angry. So, yes, the short answer is that UK heat is a different breed. You’re not crazy, at least not when it comes to the heatwave.

I can’t make you cooler, but watching these Americans lose their minds will definitely help.

The great American humbling

@willfritz

Please it’s barely noon and I am BOILING en mi casa #americaninengland #americanintheuk #london #heatwave

♬ original sound – willfritz

On behalf of all Brits, apology not accepted.

See, we ain’t making this up

@theworldlywoman

Dude they don’t even have ceiling fans. Send help and bags of ice. #americaninlondon

♬ original sound – TheWorldlyWoman

This woman is from Florida, and yet, she admitted that the heat here is a different beast.

The great American humbling, but through song

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@syd_makes_vids_

Thankfully I only have to put up with this for 2 more weeks😭🙏 make sure y’all are drinking water!!! #heatwave #originalsong #singing #singersongwriter #musicaltheater

♬ original sound – Sydney the Gray

Catchy, and it almost makes you forget that you’re dying.

And they say global warming isn’t real

@redbusruss

Summer in the UK is no joke 🥵 #summer #americanintheuk #british #unitedkingdom #uk #england #london #travel #culture #expat #vlog

♬ original sound – Red Bus Russ 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Screw the turtles, we can’t breathe.

The fact we don’t have AC is CRIMINAL

@jamesatkhanfitness

Who’s got the aircon…. AAmericaBBritishHHeatwaveWWeatherHHotSSweatyComparison #fyp #tik_tok

♬ original sound – James Khan

Every year, we hear about how UK buildings are designed to trap heat, and every year, no one does anything about it.

This guy gets it

@kalanighosthunter

British summer feels like I’m melting

♬ original sound – KGH (Kalani Ghost Hunter)

Anyone fancy a trip to the Arctic?

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Featured image credit: TikTok