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.

Even before the arrival of the traditional early summer marker, Vietnam is already gripped by intense heat across all three regions, with unusually high temperatures raising concerns of a volatile and extreme summer in 2026.

A weak cold air mass is forecast to move into northern Vietnam from the night of April 16-17, bringing thunderstorms and a noticeable drop in temperatures after days of intense heat.

A widespread heatwave is set to re-intensify across northern Vietnam from April 10, with central regions enduring the most extreme conditions, where temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C.

A tropical depression has formed over the Northwest Pacific and is expected to strengthen into a storm within the next 24 hours, though it is unlikely to affect the East Sea.

A new mobile application offers hyper-local forecasts and instant disaster alerts, marking a shift toward more personalized weather services in Vietnam.

A severe heatwave is sweeping Vietnam, with central provinces reaching level 2 disaster risk due to prolonged extreme temperatures.

A widespread heatwave is sweeping across Vietnam, with the north expected to endure rising temperatures throughout the week.

ENSO is forecast to shift toward a warmer phase in 2026, and while the number of storms may decline, experts warn that stronger storms, rapid intensification, and heavy rainfall are likely to become more pronounced.

A brief spell of thunderstorms is set to give way to a prolonged and severe heatwave across the North and Central regions.

A brief spell of early-season heat across northern and central Vietnam has come to an abrupt end, as a weak cold air mass moves in, triggering widespread showers and thunderstorms on April 1.

The National Civil Defence Steering Committee has ordered the People’s Committees of cities and provinces to step up preparedness as thunderstorms, whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong winds threaten the country during the seasonal transition.

Violent weather during the transition from spring to summer has left fatalities and widespread damage across several provinces.

Northern and central Vietnam are set to experience the first major heatwave of 2026, with temperatures expected to rise sharply in the final days of March.

Vietnam’s weather chief underscores the limits of technology in critical moments.