WASHINGTON, United States, July 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A record-breaking heat wave baked the central United States on Sunday, smashing temperature records from the northern plains to the Rocky Mountains region.

In Salt Lake City, the state capital of Utah, and Billings, the largest city in Montana, temperatures reached a peak of 109F (43C), according to preliminary data from the US National Weather Service.

Both temperatures are all-time highs for each city since records started being kept over 150 years ago, surpassing the previous records of 107F and 108F (42C), respectively.

The blistering heat has also hindered efforts to fight massive wildfires raging in Colorado and Utah, and the high temperatures are expected to persist through Tuesday.

Just over a week ago, the eastern United States was gripped by another heat wave that pushed temperatures to around 104F in New York and Philadelphia.

Around the world, heat waves are becoming more common and intense due to climate change, primarily caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas and emission of greenhouse gases.

Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record. The heat wave left more than 1,300 people dead across the region, according to the World Health Organization.