Melbourne on verge of heat record

Melbourne is on the verge of setting a heatwave record with a ninth consecutive day above 30C.

The high of 36 predicted for Monday will create the first eight-day stretch of 30 degree-plus days since February 1961.

If the mercury hits the 36 predicted on Tuesday, Melbourne will record the first nine-day run since temperature records began in 1856.

The March heatwave comes on the back of a hot February, in which Melbourne sweltered through six consecutive days above 30.

Overall Melbourne experienced 14 days over 30 in February, equalling the previous record.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster James Taylor said the unprecedented hot spell is tipped to end with a cool change mid-morning on Wednesday.

"Certainly when we're threatening and breaking records, it's a historically significant summer," Mr Taylor said.