The day’s top temperature of 30.9 degrees fell short of the longstanding October heat record for Canberra of 32.7 degrees in 1946.

Senior meteorologist Sean Carson said the heat did not reach a forecast top of 32degrees, despite mostly sunny conditions, and cooler conditions lay ahead.

‘‘We will likely see a couple of showers or thunderstorms, probably some into tonight [Monday] and more around on Tuesday,’’ Mr Carson said. ‘‘In terms of rainfall amounts it is hard to predict, but it could be anything between 1mm and 10mm or so over the next 36 hours.’’

He said cloud over the ACT region would bring unsettled conditions on Tuesday, with a forecast top of 28degrees.

‘‘For Wednesday, we will see cooling down as a cold front moves through. It will be a windy day with a top of 24 and, just like this spring has been doing, there are some cold nights coming for the end of the week and some more negatives [sub-zero temperatures] pencilled in for later in the week,’’ Mr Carson said.

After an overnight low of 4 degrees, it is expected to reach 17 degrees on Thursday and a top of 20 degrees on Friday.

‘‘The weekend looks very settled with beautiful weather coming,’’ he said. ‘‘Temperatures in the low 20s, with cool starts and light winds.’’

After an overnight low of minus 1 degree, Saturday will see a top of 22 and sunny conditions after morning frost.

Sunday will be mostly sunny with a top of 23 degrees.

Mr Carson said some smoke could remain present in the ACT, but conditions were not threatening local bushfires.

"We’re still feeling the effects of some very good September rain locally at the moment and we'd need quite a bit more drying out for things to become riskier in the ACT."

The Emergency Services Agency bushfire rating for today remains at very high.

Farmers and winemakers are still recovering from Thursday's overnight heavy frost, which wiped millions of dollars from local industry.

Mr Carson said frost was the last thing local producers needed.

"It wouldn’t normally be so bad this time of year but because we have had so much warm weather, everything is going just so far ahead of schedule," he said.

NSW firefighters are facing the prospect of stronger winds on Wednesday when temperatures are likely to be in the mid 30s, with low humidity.