It's been a cold and rainy start to Mother's Day and the weather bureau doesn't expect conditions to improve.

Temperatures are expected to hover around 18 degrees and the gloomy cloud cover will remain with us throughout the day, senior forecaster Dean Stewart said.

The conditions are not the best for a Mother's Day picnic or visit to the park, but Mr Stewart was trying to look on the bright side.

"At least it's been a good chance to enjoy breakfast in bed," he said.