Phu Sa Phin peak, part of the Ta Xua mountain range in Hanh Phuc commune, stands at 2,868 meters. From 8 a.m. on 19/11, leading a group of climbers, Mr. Phang A Chia observed ice clinging to branches and grass from an altitude of 2,600 meters. The higher they ascended, the thicker the ice became, covering about one kilometer of the mountainside in white.

This marks the first time Northern Vietnam has experienced frost during the 2025-2026 winter season, occurring about half a month earlier than usual.

Frost on Phu Sa Phin peak in Lao Cai, morning of 19/11. Photo: Phang A Chia

Similarly, Ngu Chi Son peak, which is over 2,800 meters high and located on the border between Sa Pa commune (Lao Cai) and Binh Lu commune (Lai Chau), also experienced frost from morning, persisting until afternoon as temperatures dropped. However, the frost was not as thick as on Phu Sa Phin.

Today marks the second day Northern Vietnam has been affected by the strongest cold snap of the season. 15 provinces and cities recorded lowest temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, with Mau Son (Lang Son) reporting just over 3 degrees. Many high-altitude areas like Pha Dinh (Dien Bien), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), and Tam Dao (Phu Tho) saw temperatures between 6-8 degrees Celsius.

In Hanoi, all five monitoring stations reported temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Ba Vi, Lang, Hoai Duc, and Ha Dong registered around 13 degrees, while Son Tay was just over 14 degrees.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, this afternoon the cold air mass has spread across most of the South Central Coast. The forecast indicates that tonight and tomorrow, Northern Vietnam and the North Central Coast will experience cold weather. Mountainous and midland areas will be intensely cold, with some places experiencing severe cold (daily average of 15 and 13 degrees or lower). Quang Tri and Hue will be cold at night and in the morning.

Frost on Ngu Chi Son peak, morning of 19/11. Photo: Vua An May

The lowest temperatures during this period in the Northern Delta and North Central Coast will generally be 11-14 degrees. Mountainous areas will see 9-12 degrees, with some high mountain areas below 5 degrees. Quang Tri and Hue will experience 16-19 degrees Celsius.

Forecasts from Accuweather (US) indicate that starting tomorrow, Hanoi will gradually warm up, with temperatures rising by about 6 degrees, ranging from 16-22 degrees Celsius. By the weekend, temperatures will be around 15-26 degrees. Sa Pa will also see a gradual increase from tomorrow, reaching 7-16 degrees Celsius by sunday.

Meteorological agencies warn that intense and severe cold could significantly impact livestock, poultry, and crop growth. Heavy rain could easily cause flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides in steep areas, and localized urban and industrial zone flooding.

Gia Chinh

>>See detailed 7-day temperature forecast here.