IT was a good day to stay at home in Mildura on Thursday, when the weather really put the ice in self-isolation.

The mercury failed to get above 10 degrees on Thursday, making it Mildura's coldest day of the year so far.

The highest recorded temperature was 9.7 degrees between 12.30pm and 1pm, but that equated to an apparent temperature of just 4.4.

Persistent afternoon rain also made Thursday Mildura's wettest day of July, surpassing the 5.6mm total from July 14 by 6pm.

A top temperature of 12 degrees was predicted for Friday, amid cloudy weather, before weekend showers.

The mercury spikes again next week, with a balmy 21 degrees predicted for Tuesday.