Mildura, Ouyen and Swan Hill forecast to reach 41C on Saturday

Warragul and other parts of Gippsland have received their biggest rainfall totals for 2025 while western, central and northern Victoria largely missed weekend falls.

Warragul and other parts of Gippsland have received their biggest rainfall totals for 2025 while western, central and northern Victoria largely missed weekend falls.

On Sunday, Warragul had 36mm and nearby Jindivick had even more with 56mm, bringing to an end a run of dry weather in the traditionally high rainfall area.

Warragul had started the year with monthly totals of 10.2mm in January and 32.4mm in February.

Further east, Orbost had 34.6mm and Bairnsdale had 30mm.

Orbost is one of the few places in the state to buck the trend of ongoing dry conditions following 193mm in February.

Western Victoria remains in the grip of drought conditions, but Portland had one of the biggest daily tallies in the southwest on Sunday with 11mm.

Northern Victorian farming districts baked in 40-plus degree temperatures on Saturday with Swan Hill reaching 41.3C and Mildura 41.2C.

Across the border in NSW, Hay hit 41.4C.

Farmers are looking for an autumn break despite a run of hot temperatures.

Mixed farmer Peter Lawless at Burramine, near Yarrawonga, remains optimistic about the season despite coming out of the hottest summer for “five or six years”.

“There are a few sprinkles of rain going around that is keeping the dust down, but nothing substantial,” he said.

“Everybody would be quite happy if we got a shower of rain at the end of March.

“That would be ideal.

“There is no great panic at this stage. A lot of people will start their cropping programs in early to mid-April and with fire permits opening up, people are starting to burn a bit of stubble.”

Driscoll Ag senior agronomist at Bendigo, Josh McLeod, said it had been hot and humid in the area for two weeks.

Crops of canola, wheat and clover on irrigation were being sown but the region was still looking for some rainfall and an autumn break before dryland sowing starts.

While the hot weather continues to put pressure on livestock water storages there are some farmers who have welcomed warmer conditions.

Farmers are still hopeful of decent rain by the end of March to kickstart winter cropping programs. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Hillston, NSW cotton grower Paul Cleton said the run of hot daytime temperatures was welcome in his area, but rain would be needed for those wanting to sow winter crops next month.

He said up to 100mm would be needed later in the season to shape things up for winter sowing.

“We thought we were going to get rain from the cyclone, but nothing really arrived,” he said.