Canberra Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Magdalena Galos-Lorenc said that after a brief reprieve on Monday, another string of hot days were in store for Canberra.

The average maximum temperature so far this month was likely to be hotter than 28 degrees, Canberra's average for January, she said.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency elevated the ACT fire danger rating meter to high for Tuesday.

Canberrans can expect sunny skies and a top of 29 degrees on Tuesday, then a foggy morning followed by a sunny day with a maximum temperature of 34 degrees on Wednesday.

The bureau is predicting a scorcher for Thursday, with a maximum temperature of 36 degrees.

"We've got north-westerly winds that bring this hot air mass from the interior of Australia," Ms Galos-Lorenc said.

Friday will be even hotter with a top of 37 degrees predicted, but showers and thunderstorms will break up the blue skies.

Ms Galos-Lorenc said Canberrans may be feeling the heat because they were unused to it after last summer, when the capital recorded its coolest January since 2000.

In February 2012 Canberra recorded an average maximum temperature of 2.1 degrees below the historical average, and heavy rain made it the eighth wettest February on record.

The bureau is predicting a slightly cooler 27 degrees on Saturday, warming to a maximum temperature of 30 degrees.

To start next week, a maximum temperature of 33 degrees with a shower or two is expected on Monday.

Those looking to cool off with a swim will note updates on the water quality of Lake Burley Griffin reported all zones open for recreational use.