People on the land are reluctant to even speak of the wet stuff falling from the sky, according to one agronomist, for fear of jinxing it.

But the chance of it in our region this week is the best it's been for many months, and that has hopes sky-high.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts potential "heavy" falls across eastern Australia from tomorrow; some of the top totals could be in the New England and North West.

Meteorologist Sarah Scully said "the hit-and-miss nature of storms" meant it was "difficult to forecast the exact location" of the heaviest falls.

But some croppers in the district "are taking a punt", Pursehouse Rural agronomist Greg Worland said.

Read also:

"Grain sorghum, some late summer forage crops ... We really are outside the sowing window for both of those, but a lot of guys don't actually have anything for stock feed," Mr Worland said.

Even a failed crop could provide ground cover.

"There's zero crop in the ground at the moment; it's something - better late than nothing at all, I suppose."

Ms Scully said it was a "double-edged sword": fire sites could soak up showers, but heavy falls brought "the potential for flash-flooding, particularly in [areas] now vulnerable to landslips and trees coming down".

Parts of the North West Slopes and Plains had up to a 90 per cent chance of showers Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tamworth could receive up to 65mm in three days; Moree 35mm; Narrabri 50mm.

The Northern Tablelands had similar prospects. Armidale had a chance of up to 60mm in the three days; Inverell and Glen Innes 65mm.

"I've spoken to a lot of growers who are quietly confident but don't want to really talk about it, just in case we jinx it," Mr Worland said.

"It's a case of, 'Don't mention the thing that's supposed to be forecast by the end of the week'. A lot of guys are just so desperate for it."

The predictions have not at all dampened spirits before the country music festival, one organiser saying, "We'd love to have a wet event."

But at least one feature has been curtailed: the Aussie Nightmarkets, planned for three days from tomorrow.

Due to forecast falls, "we will be running the market on Saturday and Sunday only", a representative said.