Final sweltering day of summer in Vic

There is a severe fire warning across Victoria with temperatures tipped to top 40C in some parts of the state.

Australia has recorded its hottest autumn on record, the Bureau of Meteorology says in a new report. (AAP) Source: AAP

Victoria is set for a scorcher with a severe fire danger warning issued for most of the state.

There will be hot and dry conditions with temperatures topping 40C in the northwest, before a gusty southwesterly change moves across most of the state during the afternoon and evening.

Melbourne can expect a high of 38C with the slight chance of a shower in the afternoon as the cool change passes through around 5pm.

The weather bureau suggests Tuesday will be the last hot day of summer.

"We've got a week to go of summer and it doesn't look like we'll get back to the mid 30s or high 30s in Melbourne," senior forecaster Richard Carlyon told AAP on Tuesday morning.

Fire crews will be on high alert with severe fire danger for most of the state, including the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, South West, Central and West and South Gippsland districts.