Record heat in Melbourne as temperatures rise for Australia Day

Severe thunderstorm and high heat warnings have been issued in Victoria following a hot Australia DaAustralia Da across the state, on the back of a week of high heat.

Across the country, several other states and territories have also experienced warm weather on the public holiday.

The Victorian Government has issued a heat health alert for Central Victoria, including Melbourne, warning that extreme heat kills more Australians than any other natural disaster.

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Melbourne reached 35.9C just before 4pm, marking it the city's fifth consecutive day of 31C or hotter, according to Weatherzone, and Melbourne's longest heat spell in eight years.

The humidity has also led to it being the third day that it has felt hotter in Melbourne than the actual temperature due to unusually high humidity.

"By Melbourne standards, it's very humid," senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology Jackson Browne said.

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Showers and thunderstorms are expected to hit Victoria this evening, with the Bureau of Meteorology having issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the state's west, including Mildura, Horsham, Echuca, Ballarat, Colac, Warrnambool and Bendigo, and the Alpine region in the east.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected.

Severe thunderstorm warnings for damaging wind and heavy rainfall have also been issued for New South Wales' South West Slopes District.

Sydney reached a top of 27.7C for Australia Day while Canberra reached a similar top of 27.6C and Brisbane reached 26.6C.

Perth's hot weather continued with a top of 28.8C experienced, a slight reprieve from the 40C days over recent weeks.

"We've seen six consecutive days where we've hit 40," Mr Browne said.

"That eclipsed the old record. Sadly they are turning up the dial."

In Darwin, the temperature reached 31.5C.

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Adelaide was humid and reached a top of 33.7C.

The Hobart area experienced cooler temperatures, reaching a top of 19.2C.