Workers are starting back to a warm, dry week with temperatures set to climb into the early 30s for some parts of the country.

MetService meteorologist John Law says a large area of high pressure is sitting across most of the country, bringing dry, fine weather.

A high of 31 degrees Celsius is predicted for Alexandra in Central Otago while Masterton in the Wairarapa is forecast to reach a high of 29 degrees on Monday.

"I think for most of us it's a dry one with those temperatures climbing by the end of the week ... a few flies in the ointment, but for most of us, a fine, dry and settled start to the working week of 2024."

But it's the second half of the week, when John says temperatures are expected to creep higher and he doesn't rule out heat level alerts for some parts of the country.

"In your classic spots on that eastern side of the South Island, places like Canterbury climbing backs to highs of 30, even 32 or 33 degrees Celsius ... and those northwesterlies back for Thursday."

There might not be much of a reprieve overnight from the warmer temperatures.

MetService predicts a low overnight of 16 degrees Celsius in Hokitika on Thursday.

John warns that the fine weather does come at an increased fire risk.

"Well worth keeping an eye on those risks before you set any fires or any sparks around the garden."

A few pockets of clouds are lingering around, particularly on the western coast of the South Island towards Fiordland and around Southland and Otago on Monday, but he says some of that is expected to clear away later on in the day.

Wetter weather might start pushing back into the West Coast later in the week, and John encourages people to keep an eye on the forecast.

-RNZ.