Coolest Melbourne January day in 21 years

Melbourne has shivered through its coolest January day in exactly 21 years.

The city reached just 17.8C on Monday - the lowest January maximum since January 2, 1996 when the mercury rose to only 15.6C, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart says.

But summer will soon return after some drizzle on Tuesday morning, Melbourne is forecast to reach 23C and then the temperature will continue to rise through to the weekend.

MELBOURNE FORECAST MAXIMUMS:

Tuesday - 23C

Wednesday - 29C

Thursday - 31C

Friday - 31C

Saturday - 36C

Sunday - 30C