Summer is about to make a return to Sydney. But it will only be a fleeting visit.

On Monday temperatures will soar past 30 degrees, with the city to expect tops of 35. 

But if you are not chained to a desk you should get out and about under the sun while you can – this glimpse of summer will be a short one. 

Duty forecaster Andrew Haigh from the Bureau of Meteorology said Monday's maximum temperatures were forecast in the mid-30s in both the city and the west. 

"We're expecting a pretty warm day: 35 in the city and just nudging 36 in the west," Mr Haigh said. 

But commuters heading home from work can breathe a sigh of relief, with a cold front to bring a significant drop in temperatures in the afternoon. 

"That cold front will move through late afternoon into the early evening, it will bring a pretty distinct change," meteorologist Drew Casper-Richardson from Weatherzone said.

Mr Haigh said a north-westerly wind, expected to turn south during the afternoon, could bring wet weather to the Sydney metropolitan area.

"There is a slight chance of a shower or maybe even a thunderstorm in the afternoon, probably early to mid-afternoon rather than later," he said. 

Mr Casper-Richardson said rainfall would not be too heavy, with some places picking up 5 to 10 millimetres. 

Cooler weather would continue through the week, extinguishing hopes of a lasting start to summer. 

"Tuesday, by contrast, is only going for a top of 20 degrees, so much cooler behind that change," Mr Casper-Richardson said. 

There was no telling when Sydney will see 30-degree weather again, he said. 

"Tomorrow's going to be the last of the 30-degree weather for at least the rest of the week," he said. 

Weatherzone is owned by Fairfax Media, publisher of this website.