Exceptionally cold in the south east today

[Updated 06:55 24/05/2013]

The weather will improving during for the bank holiday weekend, but today in much of England and Wales will as though winter is back. An area of low pressure centred over eastern regions is wrapped in very cold air for the time of year, and this combined with frequent showers or longer spells of rain in much of central and eastern England will hold down temperatures dramatically. Where the cloudy conditions persist temperatures may climb no higher than 8C (46F) making it feel like February day. The best weather today will be in the north west where it's likely to become mostly dry, and with sunny spells here it will be warmer, perhaps 16C (61F) in western Scotland. The drier weather will gradually push south east today and tonight. Tomorrow looks like being a much better day with sunny spells and only isolated showers. Sunday also should be mostly dry, but in the north west it could become cloudier. By Monday the next batch of rain will be pushing in from the west, but the east will probably remain dry. The rest of the week looks changeable with showers or longer spells of rain at times. Check the latest prospects by using the place or postcode weather forecasts and Buzz updates.