Dry conditions and strong winds combined to buffet the town and outlying villages, blanketing them in dust.

What started out as a light wind in the morning developed into gale-force winds by the afternoon.

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The wind was strongest between 2pm-6pm and the horizon was a haze as the hills were obscured by the storm.

Loose dirt from empty paddocks was swept into the air and keeping within the white lines on the Kamilaroi Highway was no mean feat for drivers.

Werris Creek and Tamworth were also affected by the dust storm that whipped through the region.

Tuesday also marked the first day of a drop in temperature after a heat wave moved through NSW.

Maximum temperatures in Tamworth are set to hover around the mid to low 20s until Tuesday next week.

A top of just 18 is predicted for Saturday.

Also predicted for Saturday, as well as Friday, is a spot of rain.

While the predicted rainfall has decreased from Monday's forecast, there's still a chance the region will get some welcome rain, according to Weatherzone.

There's a 80-90 per cent chance of 5-10mm in Tamworth and Gunnedah on Friday and a 70-80 per cent chance of 1-10mm in the two towns on Saturday.