Why 80-degree temperatures kill in the U.K.

A heat wave has resulted in as many as 760 deaths, despite temperatures mostly below 90 degrees

London heat
(Image credit: REUTERS/Paul Hackett)

The U.K. is enduring a serious heat wave that has resulted in an estimated 540 to 760 deaths over nine days.

Yet the highest the temperature has risen is 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of the time, temperatures have hovered in the high 80s, which, while toasty, doesn't seem like it could kill hundreds of people.

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Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.