Bordering China, Lang Son province experiences the earliest and strongest cold air in the North. Early this morning, ice appeared, clinging thickly to walls at an altitude of nearly 1,200 meters.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting recorded a temperature of 0,2 degrees Celsius at the monitoring station on Mau Son peak, the lowest nationwide. Low temperatures, light rain, and dense fog caused ice to form approximately 100 meters from the mountain peak downwards. By noon, measuring devices at some accommodation facilities showed a temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.

B40 wire fences were covered in a thick layer of white ice. The French once discovered Mau Son as an ideal resort destination, leading to the construction of several villas. Currently, the mountain peak features many guesthouses, attracting tourists.

By 14h, ice still thickly covered tree branches on the mountain peak.

Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Weather Forecasting Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, stated that this cold spell brings mountain temperatures as low as 6-9 degrees Celsius and lowland temperatures of 10-12 degrees Celsius. Residents feel colder than during the 5-8/1 period. The cold spell in early January was a "dry cold" with few clouds, causing temperatures to drop sharply at night but rise significantly during sunny days. In contrast, the current cold spell is a "wet cold" with cloudy skies, keeping temperatures low day and night. Consequently, the average daily temperature of this cold spell is lower, creating a more biting and prolonged cold sensation.

On windward slopes, ice formed densely on trees. When blown by the wind, it fell, covering the ground in white. Due to the complex terrain, tourists faced difficulties in accessing these areas.

Ice clung to low-growing vegetation. From this afternoon, as temperatures are expected to drop again, the ice is likely to continue increasing.

Hearing news of ice on Mau Son, a group of tourists departed from Ha Noi for Mau Son to experience it.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the severe and harmful cold spell in the Northern region and Thanh Hoa will last until the end of tomorrow. The lowest temperatures are generally 10-12 degrees Celsius, with mountain areas seeing 6-9 degrees Celsius, and some high mountain areas experiencing below 3 degrees Celsius. High mountain regions should prepare for frost and snow.

Gia Chinh

Photos: Na Na, Thanh Hoa, Dinh Van Quyet