Brits are famously known for their obsession with the weather, and as winter tightens its grip, the conversation inevitably turns to just how bitterly cold it feels in the capital. Despite a notable lack of heavy snowfall, the chill in London has a particularly penetrating quality, often making it feel subjectively colder than winters in famously frigid Canada.
A recent social media explanation by Ashley Zixuan has gone viral, providing a scientific basis for this common sensation. The core reason lies not in the temperature reading on a thermometer, but in the damp, humid nature of the British cold.
The Science of Damp Cold
Ashley Zixuan, in an Instagram video, clarified that while Canadian winters see lower temperatures necessary for snow, London's near-freezing conditions combined with persistent rain create a uniquely harsh environment. The key is heat conductivity.
She explained, "London's air is damp. Cold and humidity mean high thermal conductivity. This means that water molecules in the air will pull heat away from your skin faster than dry air." In contrast, Canada's cold is typically a dry cold, meaning your body loses heat at a much slower rate, making it feel less severe despite lower actual temperatures.
London's Windy Urban Canyons
The damp air is not the only factor amplifying the capital's winter misery. London's historic architecture and narrow street layout create what is known as the urban canyon effect.
"Wind gets compressed through narrow alleys and moves faster," Ashley added. "Faster wind strips heat away from your skin, so you feel colder. Wind also means that clothing is less effective." This phenomenon is less pronounced in the wider, more open suburban layouts common in Canada, where wind flows around buildings rather than being funneled and accelerated through them.
Building Insulation and Public Reaction
A final piece of the puzzle is the state of London's housing stock. Many of the city's older, and often listed, buildings feature single-glazed windows and poor insulation, allowing cold air to seep in constantly. Canadian buildings, by comparison, are generally constructed with much higher insulation standards to withstand their harsh winters.
The public response to this explanation has been one of vindication. Commenters on the video expressed relief at finally having a clear reason for their long-held feelings about the UK's distinctive cold. One person noted that a friend from Norway found the UK winter worse than their own. Another stated, "In Switzerland, Poland, or Germany, we get lower temperatures... But when I'm in London, it's a different story. It's unbearable because it's a wet cold." A third simply declared that London feels colder than Moscow, despite the Russian capital having a lower official temperature.
