Summer is predicted to come later with cooler temperatures this year according to Le Thanh Hai, vice head of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorology Forecast.

Late, milder summer predicted

According to Hai, there will be more cold spells in the next two to three months but they will weaken. The temperature during the night is from 17 to 20 degrees and up to 23 degrees during the day. The recent cold spell in early March covering the northern and central region mostly caused drizzle.

"The cold spells in May will mainly cause rain, strong winds and hail in the northern region," he said. "Last year, hail caused severe damage in Lao Cai Province and sea travellers suffered from thick fog and strong winds."

Reports from Vietnamese and international agencies show that ENSO, the climate phenomenon refers to the cycle of warm and cold temperatures, including El Niño, La Niña, and the Southern Oscillation, will transition to La Nina-neutral from July to December. The weather will be less drastic and unpredictable with 14 to 15 heat waves. The northern region will experience hot weather starting from late April while the central coast will have cool weather until May.

"There will be some 10 to 12 large storms. The storms will appear in typical patterns with two to the north, three in the central region and one in the south. Most of them will be formed in September, October and November," Hai said.

However, the committee said that the chance of super, unpredictable typhoons occurring in the East Sea, in often unaffected areas in Vietnam is increasing. Off-season rains will happen more in the Central Highlands and south.

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorology Forecast has put up 18 lightning detection stations and weather radar in Dien Bien Province. They also repaired and maintained other radars for better forecasts this year.

Hai said, "We'll be able to give early warnings for heavy rains and up to five days' warning for thunderstorms. However, the 24-hour and 36-hour forecasts are more accurate and recommended to be followed. We tried to predict rainfall to give flooding and landslide warnings last year. This time, we'll give more detailed warnings to provincial authorities and natural disaster prevention committees."

In addition, the centre will also provide a detailed forecast to each district instead of the whole cities and provinces.

Dtinews/Tien Phong