According to figures from www.weatherzone.com.au, which takes its reading at Orange Regional Airport, there was 64.4 millimetres of rain in Orange’s gauges in September, well down on the 50-year average of 81.6 millimetres.

The lack of moisture exacerbated the impacts of one of the city’s driest winters on record: just 103.8 miilimetres of rain fell in June, July and August, less than two-fifths of the long-term mean of 265.2.

But, there are some promising signs in the seven-day forecast.

There is an 80 per cent prospect of between five and 10 millimetres on Wednesday, with Thursday’s forecast predicting the same chance of between 10 and 20 millimetres.

Weatherzone meteorologist Jacob Cronje said Orange, Forbes, Parkes and Cowra should receive the most rain in the Central West

“They could receive up to 60mm, but that’s an optimistic outlook, it’s safe to say 20-40mm,” he said.

Australia recorded its driest September on record, with many locations across the Central West following that trend.

Nyngan recorded by far the lowest rainfall during the month with just 1.8 millimetres recorded, which was well below the long-term average of 27.9 millimetres.

Dubbo and Forbes were also extremely dry with just 6.8 miilimetres and 6.4 millimetres of rain respectively, compared to long-term averages of 44.3 millimetres and 42 millimetres.