A well known agricultural meteorologist is not expecting a hot, dry summer.

Drew Lerner with World Weather Inc. anticipates normal to slightly below normal temperatures with regular precipitation.

He compares the current weather pattern to the one the prairie provinces had in the 1950's.

"Six out of the twelve wettest years in recorded history for the prairies were in the 1950's. We have now had three years in a row of abundant moisture across the region, assuming this year is going to be like that as well."

Warm, dry weather is needed to finish seeding and get the crop growing. Lerner says an important number to watch this year will be growing degree days.

"It is very important that we warm back up. If we stay in this particular mode for any great length of time, we are going to lose some ground."

As for the length of the growing season.

"I think at this point in time, there is not a lot of support for an early freeze event, but I don't see a lot of support for a very late one either. So, we are looking at something that is close to normal," said Lerner.

Environment Canada will issue its long term summer weather forecast on Friday.