Meteorologists have warned of dangerous weather conditions across northern Vietnam, including flash floods, landslides and severe thunderstorms.

Widespread thunderstorms and torrential rain are creating dangerous weather conditions across Vietnam, with several areas recording rainfall exceeding 220mm.

On average, the East Sea records about 11–13 storms and tropical depressions each year, with 5–6 making landfall. This year, fewer than 11 systems are forecast to form, with fewer than five expected to directly impact the mainland.

The figure includes losses of 6.7 billion VND in Cao Bang province and 3.5 billion VND in Dak Lak province, while Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa provinces have yet to report estimated damages.

Northern and central Vietnam are experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures in several areas exceeding 38C.

Vietnam is facing mounting concerns over increasingly extreme weather patterns in 2026 as climate experts warn that El Niño conditions are gradually forming and could intensify later this year.

Heatwaves are forecast to intensify across Vietnam through early June, particularly in northern and central regions, though cold air masses may still periodically trigger thunderstorms and lower temperatures in the north.

Northern Vietnam is expected to enter a new spell of unsettled weather, as a weak cold air mass moves southward, bringing widespread thunderstorms and a noticeable drop in temperature.

Storm Hagupit has formed over the Pacific Ocean, with forecasts indicating a low likelihood of it entering the East Sea due to the blocking influence of a strong subtropical high-pressure system aloft.

A new weather system is set to disrupt the region, with thunderstorms and extreme conditions expected to return by the weekend.

Large hailstorms in northern Vietnam are linked to a mix of heat, cold air and atmospheric instability.

A sudden wave of extreme weather swept across northern Vietnam, leaving widespread damage, injuries, and growing concerns over further storms.

Just ahead of the April 30 - May 1 holiday, a cold air mass is moving southward, bringing widespread rain and a noticeable drop in temperatures across northern Vietnam, with some mountainous areas expected to fall below 20°C.

A fresh wave of cold air is bringing widespread rain and storms, with two more spells expected before the end of April.

The return of El Nino from mid-2026 is expected to make weather patterns in southern Vietnam increasingly complex, with the rainy season likely arriving earlier than usual and the risk of strong storms emerging toward the end of the year.

Over the next 10 days, northern and central Vietnam are expected to experience rapidly shifting weather patterns, alternating between thunderstorms and localised heat, while the southern region continues to endure prolonged sunshine.

Meteorological models are warning of the possible emergence of a super El Nino event in 2026, raising concerns over record-breaking heatwaves and increasingly unpredictable storm patterns.

Residents were left startled as thick clouds blocked sunlight, forcing vehicles to use headlights during daylight hours.

Northern Vietnam is expected to experience three consecutive waves of thunderstorms from the night of April 16 through April 25, as a shift in weather patterns follows a prolonged period of heat.

A sudden hailstorm in the early hours of April 16 caught residents of Bac Ha commune in Lao Cai province completely off guard, pelting the area with dense hailstones for around 40 minutes.