Very dry and hot conditions have plagued the region for the past 12 months, with drought-affected farmers suffering with no water and no feed.

When combining the average minimums and average maximums during 2018, Weatherzone meteorologist Tom Hough says this year was the hottest.

“It’s 1.1 degrees hotter than average … that’s hotter than the previous warmest which was in 2009,” he said.

Well above average temperatures during December have added to Dubbo’s hot weather woes.

“We’re on track for 13 days above 35 degrees, this is from Christmas Day until January 6,” Mr Hough said.

During December, the average maximum temperature in Dubbo was 33.5 degrees, which is well above the long-term average of 31.

Minimum temperatures were also warmer than usual – the average daily low is just under 16 degrees, but the average for this December was 17.

Despite the current run of hot weather, it is not the longest period of time that Dubbo has been left sweltering.

“There was a stretch of 18 days above 35 degrees and that was in January, 2009.”

While Dubbo residents might be familiar with very hot temperatures, it is the long run of hot weather than has Weatherzone labelling it a heatwave.

“A heatwave is three or more days of maximums and minimum temperatures that would be considered unusual for that location,” Mr Hough said.

The lack of rain during 2018 was so significant that data shows it was the third driest year on record.

During 2018, just 311.6 millimetres of rain was recorded at Dubbo Airport which is less than half of the city’s long-term average of 625.4mm.

This follows on from a very dry 2017 when just 465.4mm of rain was received.

“It’s coming up as the third driest of the 25-year records [at Dubbo Airport],” Mr Hough said.

By contrast, the wettest year in Dubbo was in 2016 when 916.4mm of rain was recorded; while the driest was in 1994 with 165.8mm.

Looking ahead, Weatherzone predict no significant rainfall for the first few weeks of 2019.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Daily Liberal. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up to our free or subscriber only newsletters below: