Canberra was forecast to face one of the worst fire danger days of the bushfire season, with the temperature due to soar past 30 degrees amid dry, windy conditions.

Conditions are still forecast to get hot and windy in the afternoon but due to the rain only a very high fire danger rating will result.

ACT Emergency Services declared a total fire ban and issued a severe fire danger rating on Monday as the the Bureau of Meteorology forecast a top of 34 degrees and hot north-westerly winds.

Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said wind gusts could reach 80 kilometres an hour in the late afternoon.

"[Tuesday] will easily be the hottest day for the week. It does look like being one of the worst fire danger days we've had this season," he said on Monday evening.

"It looks like the the worst conditions will be between 3pm and 5pm. We're going to have north-westerly winds constantly gusting at about 50 kilometres an hour.

"At the same time the temperature will be about 32 degrees and humidity will be ... as low as 15 per cent during that time.

"It's going to be a pretty yucky day."

Tuesday's forecast is well above the average 26 degrees for this time of year.

Mr Dutschke expected the fire danger to ease off as a cool change swept through the territory after 7pm, when a minimum of 12 degrees was forecast.

"During the evening wind gusts will be gradually turning more west - that's a cooler wind direction so, we should see the temperature gradually drop in the evening," he said.

"At 7 o'clock [at night] it's still going to be about 28 degrees. It will take a bit after 7 o'clock before any significant cooling is going on."

A number of nature reserves and roads will be closed on Tuesday due to the total fire ban, including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve; selected roads within Namadgi National Park including Apollo Road, Orroral Road, Old Mill Road, Warks Road, Mount Franklin Road and the Corin Dam Road; Googong Foreshores; Kowen Forest; Lower Molonglo River Corridor; Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve; Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary; and the Centenary Trail between Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve and Hall.

Boboyan Road and Brindabella Road will remain open to through traffic, and Tidbinbilla and Namadgi Visitors Centres will also stay open.

Swimmers can still cool off in the Cotter and along the Murrumbidgee River including Kambah Pool, Pine Island Point Hut and Uriarra Crossing.

All gas barbecues in the territory's parks and reserves will be turned off but electric barbecues will be available.

Looking to the rest of the week, Canberrans can expect a slight reprieve ahead of a hot start to next week.

Mr Dutschke said Wednesday would be a much calmer, sunny day at 27 degrees, followed by a top of 29 degrees on Thursday.

Friday is set to be the coolest day of the week at 26 degrees, ahead of a dry weekend.

Mr Dutschke said Canberra was unlikely to experience temperatures in the 30s again until Sunday and Monday.

The ESA urges residents to monitor any fires via local media and the ESA website.

For more information, visit www.esa.act.gov.au or phone Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.