Northern regions are predicted to experience a warmer winter this year, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has said.

People wear warm clothes during a cold snap in Hà Nội last winter.

Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, head of the NCHMF’s Weather Forecast Office said the temperatures between December and February would be higher than the previous winter in northern areas. 

However, Hưởng stressed that the north would experience extreme cold spells lasting five to seven days in January and February. Frosty weather and rainfall were predicted in mountainous areas.

The amount of rainfall would be lower than previous years, he added.

Mentioning the cold spell, the first one of the autumn-winter season, Hưởng said the cold weather would bring heavy rain to most areas in the north and the central regions of Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình and Quảng Trị from today.

Temperatures will drop to between 21-24 degrees Celcius in Hà Nội and 19-22 degrees Celcius in mountainous areas. Extreme weather, including whirlwinds and hail showers are likely to occur in northern provinces.

The cold spell will last for the next two days. — VNS