Bureau of Meteorology climatologst Felicity Gamble said with the dry El Nino conditions declared over in May and a reverse, wetter La Nina on the way, Daylesford and surrounding towns could expect higher rainfall this winter and spring.

She said that rainy effect would be compounded with a negative Indian Ocean Dipole –where cooler sea surface temperatures lead to more rainfall in southern Australia.

“In the past when we’ve had a La Nina and a negative drivers in the Indian Ocean, we’ve seen an increased amount of precipitation,” Ms Gamble said.

Ms Gamble said temperatures were likely to be median during the day, but a warmer than average overnight drop.

“There’s no strong signals showing above average daytime temperatures,” she said.

“But when we look at minimum temperatures, there’s a chance of getting above normal, so drops overnight will be warmer than usual.

“It comes on the back of a record warm autumn for the region.”

Ms Gamble said while it was difficult to predict long-term snow patterns, she said the warmer nights may preclude the likelihood of snow.

“Compared to this time last year, you’d have to say there’s an increased chance of rainfall (and) more rain at lower levels generally translates to snow at upper levels,” she said.

“(But) getting those warmer than average temperatures … may rule out the chance of snow.”

Ms Gamble said autumn was equal warmest on record at the nearest measuring point of Castlemaine, matching temperatures seen in 1971.

Hepburn Shire SES controller David Wellings said residents should avoid driving into flood waters, even if they had a four-wheel drive vehicle or the floods looked manageable.

“Just don’t do it. It doesn’t take much to dislodge a vehicle from the road,” he said.

Mr Wellings also warned against walking or swimming through flood waters, as they could become contaminated and highly toxic.

“In our area we are not prone to inundation floods, but we are prone to flash flooding. It can happen very quickly and preparation is key,” he said.

Mr Wellings said residents could keep sandbags at home and ensure gutters were clean.

He also said Hepburn Shire SES had recently completed a series of flood and storm special exercises in Creswick and Daylesford.

The week from June 22 onward is expected to bring high rainfall conditions in the region, with a higher than 75 per cent chance of rain between June 23 to 27.