TEMPERATURES at Longerenong College were higher than average as the area experienced its driest April in 12 years.
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Weather statistics compiled by Brett Allender show the college recorded just 7.4mm of rain last month.
Rain fell on only five days in the month, with most of the moisture coming in the final week of April, when 4.4mm was recorded.
The wettest day was April 30 with 3.2mm.
It was the driest April since 6.2mm fell in 2004.
The April 2016 rain total brings the cumulative figure for this year to 76.2mm, well shy of the long-term average of 99.5mm.
Until last month, rainfall for each month was tracking in line with the long-term average figures.
Mr Allender said the first day of May had already provided more than half of April’s rain total.
“It would have been nice if there was a lot more rainfall to record from the final few days in April, but at least there has been a further 3.8mm to start May off on a brighter note, and hopefully plenty more to come,” he said.
While rain figures were down, the mercury soared at Longerenong in April.
The maximum average temperature for the month was 23.5 degrees, well up on the long-term average of 21.4 degrees.
Average daily maximums for each month this year have exceeded the long-term figures, with March and April both recording maximums more than two degrees higher than average.
The April temperatures made last month the warmest April for the past nine years, with the maximum average just below the 23.7 degrees recorded in 2007.
April 5 and April 20 were the two warmest days, recording tops of 30.1 degrees.
They were the only two days above 30 degrees for the month.
The temperature reached 20 degrees or higher on 25 days in the month.
The coldest day was April 29 with a top of 18.1 degrees.
In comparison, the coldest April day last year was 13 degrees, with an overall average daily maximum temperature of 20.2 degrees.