Saturday will be the coldest day of winter so far, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a minimum of minus four to start the weekend in Albury-Wodonga.

The bureau predicts the chilly weather won’t continue through the whole month, with maximum and minimum temperatures throughout July likely to be exceed median temperatures for the month.

However, the dry weather will continue with 85mm predicted in July and little chance the region will exceed July’s median rainfall.

Senior meteorologist with the BOM Scott Williams said last month was the driest June on record in Albury-Wodonga, a common occurrence across the country.

“It was certainly a very dry June across the state, it’s looking like the average rainfall across all stations in Victoria are heading for its driest June on record. 

“Another consequence of the extremely dry weather has been some very, very cold nights.

“Minimum temperatures have rivalled those from 2006, which was the last time we had an extreme cold in terms of nights with multiple frosts.

“Saturday looks like it will be the coldest morning this winter so far.” 

An average of only 11 millimetres of rain fell across Victoria in June, half as much as the previous low for that month, which was recorded in 1944.

Brett Hosking, vice president of the Victorian Farmers Federation said the dry winter could present challenges for farmers, but was optimistic that they would be able to bounce back come spring.

“When it’s dry at any time of the year it can be a challenge for farmers,” he said.

“One of the big challenges is an increase in frost, we’re looking at a period where we’re looking to consolidate crops and prepare for spring weather.

“Whenever we go into a period like this it creates a bit of unease, farmers will make changes to their planning to adapt to the season.