Toward the end of this week, a strong cold air mass is expected to affect Vietnam.

At the same time, a storm currently active off the coast of the Philippines is forecast to move into the East Sea but weaken rapidly into a tropical depression.

Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that from Saturday to Sunday this week, a cold surge will move into the country.

About two days later, another reinforced cold air mass may continue to affect Vietnam.

“These cold air surges will impact most regions nationwide as well as the East Sea,” Cuong noted.

Meanwhile, as of February 5, a storm with winds of around level 8 has been active off the Philippines.

This is the second storm to form in the Northwestern Pacific this year, internationally named Penha.

The storm’s center is currently about 1,000 kilometers from the East Sea.

Forecasts indicate that around February 7, it will move westward and may enter the East Sea.

However, once over the East Sea, it is expected to weaken into a tropical depression, with winds of level 6–7.

After about one day, it may further weaken into a low-pressure area or dissipate over the sea.

Cuong explained that two successive cold air masses are effectively blocking the storm, causing it to weaken quickly.

Nevertheless, it could still trigger thunderstorms and rough seas.

Strong cold air to arrive, northern temperatures may drop below 3°C.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of February 5, a strong cold air mass in the north is moving southward.

In northern Vietnam, there is scattered light rain, with daytime temperatures commonly ranging from 21 to 24°C.

Around February 7, the cold air mass is forecast to affect the northern mountainous and midland areas.

By evening and night, it will strengthen and expand its influence to other parts of northern Vietnam, the north-central region and the central region.

On land, winds will shift to northeasterly at level 3, increasing to level 3–4 in coastal areas.

Due to the cold air, from the night of February 6 to the early morning of February 9, northern Vietnam and the north-central region will experience rain, showers and isolated thunderstorms.

High mountainous areas should remain alert to the possibility of frost and snowfall.

From the night of February 7 to February 9, northern Vietnam is forecast to see severe cold, with some mountainous areas experiencing extreme cold.

From February 8, the north-central region will also turn cold, with some places facing severe cold.

During this cold spell, the lowest temperatures in northern Vietnam are expected to range from 10 to 13°C, dropping to 7–10°C in mountainous areas.

In high mountain regions, temperatures could fall below 3°C.

In the north-central region, minimum temperatures are forecast to range from 12 to 15°C.

In Hanoi, from the night of February 6 to the night of February 8, there will be rain and showers.

From the night of February 7 to February 9, the capital is expected to experience severe cold, with minimum temperatures ranging from 10 to 12°C.

Cold air will also bring rain to central and southern regions.

From the night of February 7 to February 9, areas from Ha Tinh to Da Nang, and eastern parts of provinces from Quang Ngai to Gia Lai, may see rain, moderate rain and locally heavy rain with thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms may be accompanied by lightning, hail and strong gusts.

Meteorological authorities warn that severe cold, frost and possible snowfall could adversely affect livestock, poultry and crop growth.

Strong winds, gusts and high waves at sea may disrupt fishing vessels and other maritime activities.

At sea, from February 7, northeasterly winds in the Gulf of Tonkin are forecast to strengthen to level 5, occasionally level 6.

From the night of February 7, winds may increase to level 6–7, with gusts of level 8–9.

The sea will be very rough, with wave heights of 2–3 meters.

From the afternoon of February 7, the northern East Sea, including the Hoang Sa archipelago, is expected to see northeasterly winds strengthening to level 7, with gusts of level 8–9.

Waves in this area may reach 4–6 meters.

From the night of February 7, waters from southern Quang Tri to Dak Lak will experience winds strengthening to level 6, gusting to level 7, with waves of 2–4 meters.

From February 8, the waters from Khanh Hoa to Ca Mau, the central East Sea and the western waters of the southern East Sea, including areas west of the Truong Sa archipelago, will see winds strengthening to level 6–7, with gusts of level 8–9.

Waves in these areas may reach 3–5 meters.

Bao Anh