An alert was issued for the Tumut and Upper Murray rivers on Wednesday afternoon ahead of a front that is expected to bring up to 50mm of rain in a day in parts of the Riverina.

"Rainfall associated with a northwest cloud band has the potential to cause minor to moderate flooding along the Tumut River," the State Emergency Service [SES] said in its advisory.

"People living or working along the Tumut River and Upper Murray River should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop."

Floodwaters are also expected to impact the Upper Murray catchment, it said.

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The Bureau of Meteorology [BoM] predicts rainfall of between 30mm and 50mm at Tumut and the South West Slopes area on Thursday, and up to 30mm in Wagga.

The South West Slopes could get another 10mm on Friday, most likely in the afternoon and evening.

Snow is also expected above 1300m.

"A high pressure system over the western Tasman Sea is moving slowly east while extending a ridge to the north coast," the BoM forecast outlined.

"A low pressure system in the Bight is approaching the west of the state, with an associated front expected to pass across the state during Thursday.

"The passage of this system will bring rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds during the middle of the week, before a new high develops over the region late on the weekend."

The SES advised farmers along the rivers to move pumps, animals and equipment to higher ground before roads close.

They should also organise enough stock feed and water for animals and move poisons, waste and chemicals to higher storage.

For emergency assistance, call the SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

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