It changed the sombre mood in the industry as grimaces turned to smiles at the thought of achieving a result at harvest.

And grain forecasters were busy assessing revisions of grain receivals, which at the start of last week were being altered down to a State total of about eight million tonnes.

Now estimates are on hold, with critical September rain being cited as the key to the season.

Another 15mm-20mm of rain will push estimates closer to 11mt.

As with all rain events there were winners and losers, but most of the rain fell in districts where nervous farmers have been hanging out for weeks, watching promising crops start to stress.

Most coastal districts missed out on substantial falls as the high rain band disgorged between 10mm and 50mm of soaking falls over more eastern districts.

The big winners included southeast Hyden (up to 48mm), Canna (33mm), Pindar (32mm), Hyden (30mm), Maya (30mm), Munglinup (30mm), Mt Howick (30mm), Narembeen (29mm), Latham (28mm), Dalwallinu (25mm) and Holt Rock (23mm).

But other farmers reported either watching the front go by without a drop of rain falling on their properties, or only getting a "spit".

For example, Ajana, Coorow, Yandanooka, Three Springs, Moora, Calingiri, Goomalling, Cunderdin, Beverley, Woodanilling, Katanning, Kojonup, Kukerin, Lake Grace, Narrogin, Wagin, and Ongerup all recorded trace falls to 2mm.

The rise in confidence will have a knock-on effect for the whole industry if good follow-up rains are recorded this month.