The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that a cold air mass is on the move, expected to impact the northern mountainous regions by the morning of 9/3. By the afternoon and night, it will spread across the Northeast, then extend to the plains and most of the Northwest. Minimum temperatures in northern Vietnam are forecast to range from 15-18 degrees C, with some mountainous areas experiencing temperatures below 14 degrees C.

People commuting in cold, rainy conditions. *Photo: Hoang Giang*

Accuweather, an American weather service, predicts that Hanoi's daytime temperatures will remain largely unchanged in the coming days, hovering around 24-25 degrees C. Nighttime temperatures, however, are expected to drop by 3-4 degrees to 17 degrees C. Higher elevations above 1,500 meters, such as Sapa in Lao Cai, could see temperatures between 9-15 degrees C early next week.

The cold air mass will also affect the northern and central provinces of central Vietnam starting the night of 9/3. Thanh Hoa is expected to experience minimum temperatures ranging from 15-18 degrees C.

The cold air mass is expected to bring northeast winds of level 2-3 inland and level 3-4 in coastal areas. In the Gulf of Tonkin, winds could reach level 6, with gusts up to level 7-8, and sea waves 1,5-2,5 meters high. The northern East Sea, including the Hoang Sa archipelago, will experience strong winds of level 6, with the northeastern section seeing winds of level 7, gusts up to level 8-9, and sea waves 3-5 meters high.

By early morning on 10/3, sea areas from southern Quang Tri to Dong Thap will experience winds of level 6, with gusts up to level 7-8, posing potential hazards to vessels.

The arrival of this cold air mass, clashing with the currently high temperatures in northern Vietnam, is expected to create extreme weather events. These include thunderstorms, lightning, and hail in northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and eastern Gia Lai on two days: 9-10/3.

Meteorological agencies warn that these thunderstorms, along with whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts, could negatively impact agricultural production, cause trees to fall, and damage homes, transportation infrastructure, and other public facilities.

Gia Chinh

>>See detailed 7-day weather forecast here.