UK Hits Record Hot Temperatures in Spring

Britain hit record-breaking temperatures this week when some areas reached 35 degrees Celsius. This made it the hottest May day ever recorded in the country. Many people are struggling to stay cool because most British homes don't have air conditioning. Scientists say these hot temperatures are becoming normal due to climate change.

Angela Stenning lives in London and has been using a thermometer to check the temperature in her apartment. On Monday, it was over 30°C inside her living room. She explained that it's even hotter inside her building than outside on some days. The 48-year-old IT worker said it feels like they are melting in the heat.

Many British buildings were built long ago when the weather was much cooler. About 20 percent of UK homes were built before 1910. In London, more than half of all homes were built before 1945. These old buildings trap heat inside when temperatures get hot outside.

Only about 5 percent of British homes have air conditioning, compared to 70 percent of Australian homes. Hospitals, nursing homes, and schools also don't have air conditioning in most cases. This makes these places very uncomfortable and even dangerous when it gets hot. Public transportation is also a problem because London's famous red buses don't have air conditioning either.

Scientists say Britain needs to start thinking of itself as a hot country and prepare accordingly. This means installing more air conditioning and building homes that stay cool. The country is working to learn from places like Australia that have dealt with extreme heat for a long time. Without changes, experts predict thousands more people could die from heat-related illnesses each year.