Orange has returned to drought-level rain with just five millimetres falling this month and no forecast of any more until next week.
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With the month ending on Friday this April is also on track to be the coldest in Orange for 15 years.
You have to go back to drought years in 2019 (0.2 mm) and 2004 (4 mm) to see lower levels of rainfall in April, traditionally Orange's driest month.
It's on track to be the coldest April in Orange since 2006
- Simon Grainger, BOM senior climatologist
And there is only a 40 per cent chance of the average rainfall for Orange occurring over the next three months.
However, the good news for Orange's water supply is that the dam levels are currently at 72.17 per cent, the highest in three years.
Spring Creek Dam is full and Suma Park Dam is 65.66 per cent full.
Though not part of our water supply both Lake Canobolas and Gosling Creek Dam are also full.
This April Orange has seen rain fall on only four days and most of the meagre five millimetres fell on one day, Thursday April 8.
Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Simon Grainger said NSW was 'looking at one of the driest' Aprils since weather record collection began in the 1800s.
"The 5 mm [in Orange] is pretty low," he said.
Mr Grainger said it was likely 10-15 mm would fall around Orange in the first half of May but rain was looking less likely in June and July.
"Orange's minimum temperature (in April) was on average 3.6 degrees," he said.
"It's on track to be the coldest April in Orange since 2006."
The BOM is forecasting drier than average rainfall for south-east Australia over the next three months.
It says Orange will definitely see 25 mm by the end of July, it's 93 per cent sure we will get 100 mm but there's only a 40 per cent chance of the average 200 mm.
Orange mayor and gardening expert Cr Reg Kidd said gardeners should 'mulch, mulch, mulch' to keep their gardens strong as we head in winter.
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He said residents should use the falling autumn leaves to their advantage and put them on their gardens to help keep moisture in the garden beds.
Cr Kidd said residents should 'do the screwdriver test' by pushing a screwdriver into the soil to check moisture levels below the surface and determine where in your garden water was needed.
"One good watering a week is best," he said.
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