For those looking towards the sky for the next rain event, it will be much more of a hit-and-miss affair, rather than the steady soaking that is required.

A broad low pressure trough moving across New South Wales will bring hot, dry and windy conditions across western and southern parts of state initially, with the heat spreading towards the ranges during Thursday and Friday.

Storms look to move along the trough line during Friday but it will only be the odd thunderstorm initially for the Upper Western, Central West Slopes and Plains and parts of the Central Tablelands.

Over the weekend, this trough will move very slowly east and deepen slightly, taking the chance of storms towards the ranges. There are some indications that showers and storms could linger into next week in the northeast, bringing rain to fire-affected areas.

Should the trough linger, weekly rainfall totals could be in the region of 10-30mm at the upper range for the northeast and central ranges.

For much of western and southern parts of the state, it will only be a drop or two at best- this time around.