Rainfall totals have been significantly below average across almost all of the state, according to Bureau of Meteorology senior climatologist Blair Trewin.
Most areas of the state received average, and in some cases above average, rainfall in December and January, with the rain cutting off in February.
“What we’re seeing isn’t unprecedented, but we’re getting into reasonably unusual territory,” Mr Trewin said.
The majority of the state has fallen victim to low rainfall totals, with the far north-east, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Corryong, being in the best position, receiving totals closest to their averages.
Mr Trewin said most of northern Victoria had received less than 25 millimetres of rain in that time, and most of the Mallee region received only 10mm.
He said even southern Victoria had received less than half its average rainfall total.
Despite a wet end to last year, East Gippsland recorded fairly dry conditions for most of 2017, which continues to grip the region.
“Some places in East Gippsland were on track to having their driest year on record until they got rain in December,” he said.
“But even with the rain, most of East Gippsland recorded a total that was 20-30 per cent below the average.”
Following rain in December, East Gippsland has followed suit with the rest of the state and recorded a dry start to the year.
He said record high temperatures have also been received for April across most of the state, with Mildura and Hopetoun both recording record high temperatures of 39.3 degrees.
“The most extreme phase of the heat has ended but temperatures are expected to return to well above average for this time of year,” he said.
Mr Trewin said in the short-term, there is no significant rain on the horizon but the May-July seasonal outlook looks positive.
“It’s not particularly shifted towards wet or dry conditions, more so a 50/50 outlook,” he said.
“The outlook does look particularly wet for West Gippsland, with a 60pc or more chance of getting above average rainfall.”