The most severe heat will be recorded in north-western localities, with daytime temperatures set to climb to 37-39°C, said the centre.

The heatwave is now spreading across north-eastern localities, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Hanoi.

Temperatures in these localities are expected to rise quickly to 35-37°C and even exceed 37°C.

Border provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh in central Vietnam are forecast to endure intense heat on April 1, with daytime temperatures to rise to 37-39°C.

The ongoing heat wave is forecast to last till April 4 in north-eastern localities and April 5 in north-western and central localities.

Meanwhile, the prolonged heatwave has been baking southern localities for several weeks and it is anticipated to last till May.

A hotter summer 2024 expected 

According to meteorologists, this year El Nino that causes heatwaves would gradually weaken and change to a neutral state between April and June, and change to La Nina from July to September.

They warned that heatwaves would come early this year and they may be more severe than the average of previous years.

The temperature nationwide, starting in April, is generally about 1-2°C higher than the average for many years, said Dr Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy director of National Centre for hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The expert did not rule out the possibility that the summer of 2024 would set a new temperature record.

VOV