43°C in Paris vs 43°C in Delhi: The science behind why one feels worse

As Europe battled intense summer heatwaves crossing 40°C, one Indian asked on X: "Is 43°C in Europe different from 43°C in India? What's so rona dhona about? Here, the temperature even touches 48°C."

Energy and climate policy expert Siddharth Singh responded that while the thermometer may show the same number, the experience of heat varies significantly based on geography, urban design, housing infrastructure and climate patterns.

Singh explained that Europe is situated much farther north than India, with cities like Paris located at latitudes even higher than Toronto, Canada — completely changing how sunlight strikes the ground.

"In India, the sun hits from the top. In Europe, it hits at an angle, and significantly longer summer days can yield strong solar loads through the course of a day. So the sun feels different," Singh explained.

Singh noted that India's atmosphere often contains higher levels of suspended particulate matter, scattering sunlight. Europe's clearer skies, by contrast, make direct sunlight feel far more intense.

"The recent heat waves in Europe have been accompanied by very low or zero winds. The leaves on trees don't have a hint of movement. So it feels suffocating in a different way," Singh said.

European buildings were historically designed to retain heat through long, cold winters — not stay cool in summer. Wooden flooring, insulated structures and dark roofs trap heat indoors, unlike Indian homes built to cope with heat.

Perhaps the biggest difference is air conditioning access. Many European countries historically had few hot days, so homes generally lack ACs — a gap also shaped by aesthetic and urban planning restrictions.

Singh ended his post: "Indians suffer a lot from heat waves too, even at 43°C. We just don't report human interest stories the same way. Many don't have ACs, live under tin roofs, and face hot AC exhaust from neighbours."