A GOOD soaking of rain is headed to Hamilton on Thursday evening with about 10 millimetres set to fall overnight, and more showers to follow through into the weekend.

Stronger northerly winds will precede the rain during the day tomorrow and are expected to be at 25 to 35 kilometres per hour.

The expected top temperature is a relatively mild 15 degrees Celsius.

A trough will cross the western part of Victoria delivering the rain and winds and after clearing in the morning, more showers will be expected into Friday during the afternoon.

With only five days left until the end of July, the month is actually looking like falling below average of 71.5mm, with rainfall to yesterday morning sitting at 40.6mm.

However, the running total for 2023 is still above average, with 385.8mm falling over 116 days compared to the average of 326.7mm and 100.7 days.

Maximum temperatures for July have been close to average (12.1 degrees, average is 12.2) and nights have been slightly warmer at 5.6 degrees compared to the average of 4.4.

The Bureau of Meteorology is still forecasting a high probability of below average rainfall for August to October, as the effects of an anticipated El Niño event begin to be felt.