After a cool start to spring the average temperature in December was 30.5 degrees in Albury-Wodonga, almost two degrees above average.

This trend continued into the new year, with the January average climbing to a balmy 33.7 degrees, up from an average of 31.2 degrees.

When school returned it was still hotter than usual, with a February average of 31.3 degrees, just above the usual 30.9 degrees.

February 10 was our hottest day, with the mercury climbing to a blistering 43.7 degrees in the middle of a heatwave that had three consecutive days above 40.

Only 13mm of rain fell in February, far drier than the average 46.5mm.

January got 45.4mm and 22.8mm of rain fell in December, which were closer to the monthly averages.

Despite a high bushfire risk the Border has so far avoided any major incident following 2015’s devastating Barnawartha blaze.

However, the danger is not over yet. Lightning sparked several fires in the North East just last week, with a blaze at Ebden requiring 13 vehicles and a water bomber to put it out.

Firefighter Mark Owens said this time of year was dangerous as grass had all summer to dry out.

“We had a few fires start up but they were all brought under control,” he told ​The Border Mail.

“It certainly had some wind up with it but there was also a brief shower of rain too."

As for autumn, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting March to be hotter and drier than average in what could be a repeat of last year's Indian summer.

It comes as a worrying sign for farmers, with rainfall tipped to be below average over the southern two-thirds of Australia, with warmer autumn days and nights.

The BOM said: “Drier than average outlooks are likely a result of forecast higher than normal pressure across western and southern Australia, meaning fewer rain-bearing systems are likely to cross the coast”.