Predicted soaking rain has covered much of Victoria

Falls of up to 23mm, in Boort, 26mm in the north central, 15mm in the south-west, up to 26mm at Girgarre East, and 19.8mm at Nathalia have been topped by 41mm at Mount Buffalo

In fact, the north-east has now received above average rainfall, according to Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) duty forecaster, senior meteorologist Stephen King.

“The rain has cleared through Victoria, but there are still quite a few showers, coming through,” Mr King said.

“Most of the state saw about 10-20mm, which is a little bit more than we were expecting.”

The north-east received the heaviest falls, with 41mm at Boho; falls of up to five mm, were recorded in south Gippsland.

A sheep graziers alert is now current, with the BoM warning of low temperatures, showers and southwesterly winds.

Areas likely to be affected included the east Gippsland forecast district and parts of the south west, north central, northern country, central, west and south Gippsland and north east forecast districts.

Mr King said the rainfall would have pushed totals for the north-east and south-west, above average.

“Before yesterday, it was well below average - I dare say this would have brought the Mallee and Wimmera up to average,” Mr King said.

“It was a cold front that went through, with a band of moisture stretching right through to the Indian ocean.”

Nathalia mixed farmer Mackenzie Craig said nearly 20mm of rain brought the monthly total to around 50mm.

“It’s just been terribly exciting, its probably one of the earliest and best breaks we have had  - in terms of a half reasonable amount of steady rain, without it being a torrential downpour,” Mr Craig, Llanreath, said.

Rain had boosted dry sowing of cereals and pulses, coming just after the crop went in.

“It’s really, really ideal – it is always quite variable around here, and no-one understands why.

“But from Echuca, right through to Yarrawonga, right through that corridor, everyone has had decent rain.”