Many locations received moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

The region will only enjoy a brief reprieve from the heat, with more hot weather forecast for the middle of next week.

Higher than normal humidity is also predicted.

Humidity has been notably high across the district and dew point temperatures are well above normal, with readings of 16 to 20 degrees.

A localised thunderstorm brought 69mm of rain to Wangaratta in just three hours, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, on Saturday, January 27. There were strong winds, up to 50 K/hr from the NNW, and dew points were very high at 22.5 - a value normally experienced in Darwin during the wet season.

No rain fell at Yarrawonga, Benalla, and Rutherglen – all only 50 kilometres away. 

These three locations experienced much lighter winds from the north-east during the course of the storm in Wangaratta.

Many places in North East Victoria and at a number of places elsewhere in the Albury-Wodonga region are experiencing their hottest January since 1981.

The last four months of 1980 were notably warmer than usual, with December 1980 being wetter than average.

The same pattern occurred during the last four months of 2017. The year 1981 was incredibly wet, especially during winter in the Albury-Wodonga region, and this year will follow the same pattern.

Further north, many towns in the Warrego and Maranoa district in outback Queensland are experiencing severe drought.

Charleville last year recorded its driest year on record, with only 203mm of rain, just pipping the previous driest year of 1899.

It was the hottest year at Charleville since 1915. Records at Charleville go back to 1874.

This year has started poorly for Charleville, with the first rainless January likely to occur this month.

Last month was also the hottest January in Charleville since 1947.

The year 1947 was notably wet across much of the nation and the first few months of 1947 was notably warmer than usual in Victoria. 

Darwin has experienced an exceptionally wet January - the wettest since 1995.

A total of 602mm was recorded in 10 days and there were only five hours of sunshine.

A very wet January in Darwin is also a prelude to a very wet year in the Albury-Wodonga region.

The effects of the cool change on Tuesday will lead to a spell of warm, sunny days.

There will be no hot days, over 35 degrees, until around February 8.