A hot Christmas Day 'with a chance of thongs'

Melbourne is expected to get the Christmas Day it puts on greeting cards, hot with a strong chance of thongs.

Those feasting outside will be popping up the sunshades, umbrellas and marquees to provide shade. The early prediction is for 31 degrees.

But Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Alain Baillie said the predicted top could rise slightly as Friday approaches.

After a scorching weekend, Melbourne's temperatures are expected to dip to the low to high 20s from Monday to Wednesday.

Read the story in the Melbourne Age - “Melbourne Christmas Day weather: Top of 31 degrees tipped, with chance of late rain.”