BATHURST is on track to record its second-driest April in more than 100 years as tighter water restrictions for the city loom.
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The 0.6 millimetres recorded at the ag station for the month so far is only fractionally better than the 0.5mm recorded in 1967, which remains the record low for that site for April.
And there is nothing significant on the horizon for the next week for Bathurst.
"There may be a spot or two around tomorrow [Thursday], but it will be very, very light, if at all," Weatherzone meteorologist Craig McIntosh said.
"It will probably be less than one millimetre if anything happens tomorrow."
The ag station site has records stretching back more than 100 years, Mr McIntosh said.
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Bathurst Regional Council started enforcing level four water restrictions last November when Chifley Dam was below 60 per cent and is considering more severe restrictions as the dam level continues to drop.
It has now fallen to below 45 per cent.
Mr McIntosh said dominant high pressure systems over mainland Australia had kept cold fronts south, while the after-effects of tropical cyclones had brought rain to inland Queensland.
There is also a chance of an El Nino phase beginning, he said, which would be further bad news for the region.
"Even a weak El Nino will generally mean less rainfall for eastern Australia, including, obviously, on and west of the ranges," he said.
In the short-term, however, Mr McIntosh said cold fronts will "start to migrate further north" as the region heads into winter and there is even a chance of a wet start to May after a parched April.
"Keep an eye out for a front which could bring rain to start the month," he said.
