THE AFL Grand Final is shaping as a cold, wet and windy affair.

 

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a top temperature of just 16ºC for Melbourne on Saturday, with brisk winds, scattered showers and even a slight chance of small hail or a thunderstorm.

 

BoM forecaster Peter Newham told AFL.com.au it's difficult to predict with certainty how the Hawthorn-Fremantle play-off at the MCG will be affected, but was confident the temperature would drop significantly from the low-20s of Tuesday.

 

"In recent years there have been a few cooler Grand Final days where it's only got to 14 and there's been small hail around. It probably won’t get that low this time, but it will still be quite cool," he said.

 

"There will be fresh westerly winds of 30-40kmh, and a few showers drifting through from the late morning to late afternoon and then easing in the evening after the game.

 

"The showers could potentially be heavy but not long-lasting, with breaks of sunshine in between."

 

The BoM also forecasts rain in Melbourne late on both Wednesday and Friday, with 5-10mm expected on Wednesday.

 

However, the Grand Final Parade on Friday is expected to take place in dry weather.