Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more than 40mm of rain in southern NSW this weekend

But the biggest dump in months has come too late for most crops west of Albury.

Farmers have either already made the agonising decision to cut winter crops for hay rather than see them through to harvest and those still standing have almost reached their full potential.

Balldale's Beau Longmire estimated 30 to 40 per cent of crops had already been cut for hay and the forecast rain would be of "minor benefit" to the crops still in the ground.

"It's about the first weekend where it won't be of any benefit," he said.

"It's very frustrating because a month ago this rain event would have been worth a lot of money to the area.

"It's probably going to cause some panic among blokes who have got barley ready to harvest and hay ready to bale.

"We're going 24 hours a day to get as much baled before the rain event and most people are in the same boat."

Elders Albury agronomist Desi Toohey said "generally speaking" the forecast rain won't be of huge value.

"Unfortunately it is too late apart from some long season crops close to Albury," he said.

"A very low percentage of crops across the board will benefit."

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the best day for rain to be Saturday with showers and possible heavy falls forecast for Albury-Wodonga and solid totals for the farming areas west and north.

Albury's best monthly rainfall total of 105.6mm came in May, but August and September have produced totals of 16.2mm and 20.6mm respectively.

But the season is way worse out west.

Corowa had 89.66m in May, but has had less than 10mm in October to date after four months of below 20mm.

Yarrawonga had had three months below of 10mm with just 17.6mm and 13.8mm falling in August and September.

Culcairn has also had less than 10mm in October, but Finley has had five months of under 10mm including 6.4mm and 6mm in August and September.

In comparison, Wangaratta has had 299.4mm to the end of September, but has had under 10mm in October.

Lake Hume is just under 40 per cent of capacity.