The weather in Ayrshire and Scotland is to take a colder turn this week as the Met Office says the country is set for arctic gusts and wintry showers.

According to the national meteorological organisation, areas of low pressure will begin moving in with gusts of chilly air spreading across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

While spring may be here, the weather is likely to feel more wintry than is usually the case for this time of year.

Temperatures could plummet as low as 1C in parts of Scotland with a high chance of snow in the north and lower temperatures in Ayrshire.

Met Office says it could take until the May bank holiday for milder temperatures to return to Scotland

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “This week will see temperatures below average for the time of year for many. Blustery winds will become confined to the far northeast overnight, with winds falling light elsewhere. This will allow widespread frost by night, though in sunshine by day, it should feel pleasant enough.

"Wintry showers will continue across the northeast, becoming confined to Orkney and Shetland by tomorrow afternoon."

Looking ahead to the upcoming May bank holiday, Deputy Chief Meteorologist Nick Silkstone said: “It will potentially take until the end of the week for the milder air to push as far north as northern Scotland.”

What is the Met Office weather forecast for Ayrshire this week?

Temperatures are likely to reach lows of 4C at times this week with its feeling as low as 2C at points.

The weather is likely to be cloudier throughout much of the week with a relatively high chance of rain at the weekend at 40% on Friday evening.