The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a top of 24 degrees in Wagga today and has warned a cold front will be sweeping across the Riverina over the course of the day.

BoM meteorologist Stephen Stefanac said north to north-westerly winds will be coming in "fresh and gusty" over the course of the day and rain is expected to pelt the region in the afternoon.

"We're looking at the winds reaching possibly up to 20 to 25 knots on average and there is also rain and a chance of a thunderstorm," he said.

"The rain is expected to enter the western parts of the Riverina this afternoon and then spread to the east including Wagga either later this afternoon or this evening."

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The storm and rain are expected to continue overnight and into the weekend before tapering off on Saturday afternoon.

Wagga residents have relished the return of spring and warmer days this week, however Mr Stefanac has warned icier weather is now expected to return across the region.

"This rain is being driven by a cold front and with that front we'll see colder temperatures return to the state," he said.

"So those warm temperatures are on their way out and tomorrow in Wagga it's a top of just 16 degrees."

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