A heat wave breaks temperature records in Central America

A heat wave swept across the central United States on Sunday, breaking temperature records in areas extending from the northern plains all the way to the Rocky Mountains.

According to preliminary data issued by National Weather Service Temperatures peaked at 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) in Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, and Billings, the largest city in Montana.

These two temperatures are the highest ever in the history of the two cities since temperature records began more than 150 years ago, surpassing previous records of 107 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius), respectively.

The unprecedented rise in temperatures has hampered efforts to combat raging forest fires in the states of Colorado and Utah, and high temperatures are expected to prevail until Tuesday.

More than a week ago, the eastern United States witnessed Another heat waveraised temperatures to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City and Philadelphia.

Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change caused by the use of coal and fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases. According to World Health Organization data, Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, with a heatwave causing more than 1,300 deaths across the region.