WITH the temperature predicted to soar today and across the weekend and no rainfall on the horizon Orange is on track to record one of its driest Januaries.
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Just 36.1 millilitres of rain has been recorded at Orange Agricultural Institute in a month that usually records 86.5mm on average.
Weatherzone meteorologist Kim Westcott said records go back 47 years and January 2014 is set to rank in the top 10 driest.
“This January is likely to be the eighth driest on record and that’s been the same across the central tablelands,” she said.
“It’s rained just five days for the month and on average you get about eight rain days.”
Despite the low rainfall the driest January on record was in 1985 when just 7.5mm fell across the city.
Orange has been scorched this month with the average daily January temperature around two degrees hotter than the long-term average of 26.6 degrees.
Minimum temperatures however hovered around the long-term average of 13.3 degrees.
Hot weather will continue over the next week with no rainfall predicted.
“Saturday is likely to be the hottest day but cooling down on Sunday,” Ms Westcott said.
Today’s temperature is predicted to reach 34 degrees, a top of 35 tomorrow and 34 on Sunday.
Next week is expected to start off hot with 33 on Monday before dropping to 29 on Tuesday and 27 on Wednesday.
nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au
