Some of the region's graziers had waited more than a decade for a break - and more rain is expected this week.

Click here to view a slideshow of photos of the north's big rain event.

The State Emergency Services have even put out a flood-watch warning because another downpour was expected yesterday (Wednesday) from the north east. Weatherzone meteorologist Josh Fisher said up to 40mm was expected in the northern pastoral districts before passing through eastern SA to the South East, by today.

It is a far cry from record heatwave and the severe dust storms the region has endured over the past few months, which destroyed pastures and left only faint hope of a good season.

Billa Kalina Station's Colin Greenfield was in the process of agisting his entire herd off the property when the rain came.

"We knew the break had to happen one day - we just didn't know when," he said.

"The last time we experienced falls like this was in 2000."

Mr Greenfield runs about 2000 cows near Roxby Downs, but was down to a mere 300 breeders before Billa Kalina was blessed with 44 millimetres on Saturday afternoon. "It now gives us a huge breather for the first two months of summer," he said.

The Greenfields' other property, nearby Millers Creek, received 31mm.

"If we can get a little bit more rain - another 10mm - we will go from being in the worst condition ever to the best," he said.

Thurlga Station's Katrina Morris said they recorded 34mm.

"But we have been luckier than some this year," she said.

"We've had rain (212mm) at the right times through the growing season." The Morris' run up to 25,000 Merinos, in conjunction with Yardea Station, on 2500 square kilometres in the Gawler Ranges, which has been in drought for the past seven years.

"We need just one more rain now to top everything off," Ms Morris said.

Among the biggest falls in the Upper North for the week were Glendambo 62mm, Yudnapinna 66mm, Curnamona 87mm, Erudina 75mm, Appila 66mm, Booleroo Centre 69mm, Hawker 63mm, Melrose 88mm, Blinman 71mm, and Leigh Creek 60mm.

Landmark Port Augusta agent Richard Earle said the rain would ease summer pressures and curtail further dust storms. "The country has really responded well to the rain and it will only get better after another soaking," he said. "Graziers will probably give their country a spell to let the feed establish and possibly bring back stock for the next handling in the New Year.