Hot Weather This Week Good for Row Crops

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Hot weather forecast for this week couldn't come at a better time for South Dakota farmers with row crops in the fields.

Officials say crops such as corn and sunflowers aren't as mature as they should be, and they're in need of hot weather to push them along.

Temperatures in much of the state are forecast to be in the 90s this week. National Weather Service meteorologist Taylor Trogdon in Aberdeen tells the Capital Journal that the longer-term outlook also is for warmer-than-average weather.

State Climatologist Dennis Todey says the warm weather is welcome, but farmers also need an average or late freeze.

Todey also says this week's heat could stress crops in the northeast and southeast, which are drier than other parts of the state.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.