A late-summer hot spell will continue through the weekend across much of the western and central U.S. Mostly dry weather will accompany the heat across much of the Plains and Far West, while monsoon-related showers will temper the effects of above-normal temperatures in the Southwest and Intermountain West. Meanwhile, pleasant temperatures will favor Midwestern summer crops, although hot weather will continue to encroach upon corn and soybean production areas in the western Corn Belt. Showers may return across the Midwest during the weekend.