Regional Vic towns facing severe heatwave

Melbourne is in for at least five days of hot weather with temperatures set to soar above 30C.

The city is forecast to get temperatures up to 35C on Christmas Day, with 31C tipped for Boxing Day.

Regional areas, including Mildura in the state's northwest, can expect temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s.

There is set to be some short-lived relief for Melbourne, with temperatures on Monday and Tuesday reaching the high 20s or low 30s.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Steve MacGibbony on Thursday said inland centres won't get any break from the heatwave until December 29, as the cool change is too weak to affect the state's north.