Weatherzone meteorologist Drew Casper-Richardson said the region saw a top of 31.8 on Sunday, slightly below the previous record of 32.4 in March 2009.

The hottest March day recorded was in 1998 when Canberra saw a top of 37.5.

Top temperatures have exceeded monthly averages for six of the first 10 days of the month, with conditions expected to remain in the high 20s this week.

Mr Casper-Richardson said it was unlikely Canberra would see above-30 temperatures in coming days. ''Generally in the week ahead we will see tops in the high 20s, with the only exception being Wednesday when there is some possibility for a hotter day reaching 31,'' he said.

He said the length of the current hot spell would not extend as long as in 2009, when Canberra saw six consecutive days above 30.

Melbourne on Sunday had its seventh consecutive day of 30 degrees or warmer, with temperatures touching 30 degrees late in the morning.

The same system is expected to see Sydney experience a longer than usual spell of warm conditions this week.

Canberra is expecting a top of 29 on Monday and 29 for Tuesday.