According to Tran Thi Thuy Nga, a forecaster at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, weather conditions across Vietnam are currently generally favorable, with little rain and mostly sunny skies.

However, hot weather persists across the northern midlands and plains, as well as areas from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai, where maximum temperatures are reaching 35-36°C.

At 1 p.m. on Sept. 30, temperatures exceeded 36°C in several locations, including 36.6°C at Kim Boi station in Phu Tho, 36.8°C at Lang station in Hanoi, 36.3°C in Nho Quan, Ninh Binh, and 36.1°C in Vinh, Nghe An.

Nga said weather conditions would change noticeably over the coming days.

In northern Vietnam, the heat is expected to persist through Sept. 30, particularly across the midlands and plains and southern Phu Tho Province. Maximum temperatures will generally range from 35-36°C, with some places exceeding 36°C. Minimum relative humidity is forecast at 45-50%.

Around the night of Sept. 30, a weak cold front is expected to begin affecting the region, bringing rain mainly to mountainous areas of northern Vietnam from early Oct. 1 through Oct. 2.

From Oct. 1, temperatures across the north are forecast to fall by around 2-3°C from current levels, with highs generally ranging from 32-34°C.

The heatwave in the region is also expected to officially come to an end.

Stronger cold front to follow

Central Vietnam, meanwhile, will have to endure the heat for about two more days.

On Sept. 30, areas from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang, along with eastern Quang Ngai, are forecast to see maximum temperatures of 35-36°C, with some places exceeding 36°C. Minimum relative humidity will generally range from 45-50%.

On Oct. 1, hot weather will continue from Nghe An to Da Nang and in eastern Quang Ngai, with highs of 35-36°C and temperatures above 36°C in some locations. Minimum relative humidity is expected at 50-55%.

The heatwave is forecast to end completely in these areas on Oct. 2, when temperatures fall to 32-34°C.

More significantly, a stronger cold front is expected to move into Vietnam around Oct. 4-5.

The system could bring rain across northern Vietnam, the north-central region and the northern part of central Vietnam, accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures and generally cooler conditions.

Minimum temperatures across northern and north-central Vietnam are forecast to fall to 20-23°C, while some high-altitude areas could see readings below 20°C.

Bao Anh