Northern Vietnam is bracing for a stronger cold spell starting tonight (December 27), with temperatures plunging below 10°C in some areas. The intense cold conditions are forecast to persist into early 2025, bringing widespread chilly weather.

This afternoon, the cold front had already affected most of northeastern Vietnam. Strong northeasterly winds of up to level 6, with gusts reaching level 7, were recorded in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Widespread cold weather and heavy rains expected

By tonight, the cold spell is expected to intensify and spread further into other regions, including north-central Vietnam, western northern Vietnam, and central central Vietnam. Inland areas will experience northeasterly winds at levels 2-3, increasing to levels 3-4 along the coastal zones.

In northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue, cold weather will continue, with some mountainous regions facing severe cold. Temperatures in northern Vietnam and north-central regions are forecast to range from 12°C to 15°C, while mountainous areas may drop below 10°C. In areas from Quang Binh to Thua Thien Hue, temperatures are expected to hover between 15°C and 18°C.

Hanoi is set to remain chilly, with the lowest temperatures during this period ranging from 12°C to 15°C. Despite the intense cold at night and early morning, daytime temperatures may rise to around 20°C under sunny skies.

Heavy rain and stormy conditions in central and southern regions

From tonight through tomorrow (December 28), regions from Thua Thien Hue to Phu Yen will see moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Rainfall totals are expected to range between 30mm and 60mm, with isolated areas exceeding 100mm. By the night of December 28, rainfall intensity is expected to decrease.

Meanwhile, areas in Quang Tri and Khanh Hoa will see lighter rainfall, with totals ranging from 10mm to 30mm and some locations reaching over 50mm. Thunderstorms could bring localized lightning, strong winds, and whirlwinds.

Meteorologists also warn of an ongoing cold air mass moving southward, interacting with eastern wind disturbances to produce unseasonal rain showers over Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, and provinces in southeastern Vietnam.

Maritime impacts and safety warnings

The cold front will bring increasingly strong northeasterly winds of level 6, with gusts up to levels 7-8, in the Gulf of Tonkin, causing rough seas and waves of 2-3.5 meters. In the northern part of the East Sea, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands), winds will reach level 7 with gusts of level 9, generating waves 4-6 meters high.

Coastal areas from Quang Tri to Ca Mau, as well as central and southern parts of the East Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly Islands), are also expected to face rough seas with waves reaching heights of 3-5 meters.

Meteorological authorities caution that thunderstorms, accompanied by phenomena such as lightning, strong winds, and whirlwinds, could cause damage to agricultural production, infrastructure, and residential areas. Heavy rains may lead to flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides on steep slopes.

Strong winds and high waves are likely to disrupt marine activities, posing risks to fishing vessels and other operations at sea.

Bao Anh