According to Longerenong College weather station statistics up until February 23, there had only been two days above 35 degrees during February.

The average maximum temperature of 29.1 degrees, up until this point, was just below the long-term average of 29.7 degrees for February.

However, weather statistics compiled by the college’s weather recorder Brett Allender show that the final five days of the month all topped 35 degrees.

This hot end to the month pushed the average maximum up to 30.5 degrees by the end of February, resulting in the maximum temperature topping the long-term average.

Mr Allender said this final burst of hot weather led to the number of days above 30 degrees (15), 35 degrees (seven) and 40 degrees (two) all being slightly above average despite looking like being below average up until February 23.

Longerenong College weather station statistics indicate that the monthly rainfall total was 31.0mm.

This was the highest February total since 2011 when a total of 69.2mm was recorded for the month of February.

The 2019 total, Mr Allender said, was almost entirely due to a thunderstorm on February 7 dumping 29.2mm.

This was the highest daily February total since the 37mm of rain recorded on, February 4, 2010, and the biggest total of any day since the 39.2mm on November 16, 2017.

The rainfall total was received over four days.