SCOTLAND is shivering through a cold snap with temperatures down on this time of year.
Figures for this month show that the average temperature has been two degrees cooler than usual, while heavy rains mean spring is likely to be a wash-out.
More than half an inch of rain fell on Lanarkshire in 15 hours over the weekend, while Glasgow was inundated with almost a third of the average monthly rainfall for May falling in just three days.
But while it appears that the usual rising temperatures for this time of year have been slow to materialise, better weather is around the corner, according to the Met Office.
A spokeswoman said: "Temperatures are down on average for this time of year, with a sustained period of low pressure bringing cloud and rain and a north-westerly wind making it feel colder still.
"Basically, there's been a lot of rain this May and not a lot of sunshine. But it is a month where the temperature should rise steadily so it's not unusual to see it start off slowly."
According to Met Office figures, 3.2mm of rain fell on Glasgow on Friday, followed by 11.8 on Saturday and 13.4 on Sunday. The average for May is 85.4mm.
The spokeswoman added: "The good news is that things begin to brighten up as the week goes on and we should see more sunshine on Tuesday, and Wednesday, although there will still be showers around.
"We shouldn't see a return of the prolonged spells of rain we have had recently and there should be quite a dry spell as we go into the Bank Holiday weekend for a change."
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