On the morning of 31/1, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that the cold air mass has affected most of the Northeast region, causing scattered light rain and a temperature drop of one to three degrees Celsius. Bach Long Vi station recorded strong northeast winds at level 6, gusting to level 7.

This afternoon and evening, the cold air mass will continue to expand to other areas in the Red River Delta and Northwest region. Starting tonight, temperatures in the Northern region will generally range from 12-15 degrees Celsius, with mountainous areas seeing 9-12 degrees, and some high mountainous areas falling below 8 degrees Celsius.

US-based Accuweather forecasts temperatures in Ha Noi today to be around 16-21 degrees Celsius, dropping to 15-19 degrees tomorrow. High mountainous areas like Sa Pa could experience the lowest temperatures of this period, around 9-12 degrees Celsius, early next week.

Hanoians warm themselves on a cold day. Photo: Giang Huy.

The Central region will also be affected by the cold air mass starting tonight, with the lowest temperatures in the North Central region generally ranging from 14-17 degrees Celsius.

In addition to dropping temperatures, the cold air mass will bring northeast winds at level two to three, with coastal areas seeing level three to four. At sea, the Gulf of Tonkin and the northern East Sea will experience strong winds at level 6, gusting to level 7-8. From 1/2, the northern East Sea will maintain winds at level 6, gusting to level 7-8, with waves two to four meters high; the sea area from Khanh Hoa to Ca Mau and the southwestern East Sea will have winds at level 6, gusting to level 7-8, with waves two to five meters high.

From tomorrow afternoon and evening, the western part of the central East Sea and the sea area from southern Quang Tri to Dak Lak will experience winds at level 5-6, gusting to level 7-8, with waves two to four meters high.

The cold air mass will also bring showers and thunderstorms over the next two days to the area from Quang Tri to Da Nang and the eastern parts of Quang Ngai and Gia Lai provinces.

Meteorological agencies warn that the cold weather could affect livestock, poultry, and crop growth. Localized heavy rain carries risks of flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides on slopes, as well as localized urban and industrial zone flooding during short periods of heavy rainfall.

Gia Chinh