After a period of cool weather and occasional rain due to late-season cold air, the northern region is bracing for a significant shift. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicates that pleasant weather will continue for the next two days. The Northwest and Viet Bac regions, influenced by an upper-level convergence zone at around 5,000 meters, are expected to see showers and thunderstorms, with locally heavy rain, primarily in the late afternoon and night.

A widespread heatwave is set to grip the northern region starting around 13/5. The intensifying circulation of a western hot low-pressure area will first affect the Northeast. By 14/5, the heatwave will expand across the entire northern region, bringing common peak temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius, with some areas potentially exceeding 38 degrees.

This intense heat is predicted to last until approximately 16/5. From the evening and night of that day, weak cold air is expected to influence northern Vietnam, bringing rain and a welcome drop in temperatures, effectively ending the heatwave.

Accuweather, a US-based forecaster, predicts Hanoi's temperatures will range from 24-32 degrees Celsius for the first two days of next week, then climb to a high of 36 degrees Celsius by Thursday. Meanwhile, higher altitude areas above 1,500 meters, such as Sapa in Lao Cai province, will experience milder temperatures, around 16-25 degrees Celsius next week.

Hanoi residents camping and enjoying parks during the 30/4-1/5 holiday. Photo: The Bang

Central Vietnam, which has seen relatively mild weather in early May, will also face widespread heat. From around 13/5, the western hot low-pressure area will cause intense heat in the North and Central Central regions, with common temperatures of 35-38 degrees Celsius. Western mountainous areas could see temperatures exceeding 39 degrees. The meteorological agency forecasts a gradual decrease in central Vietnam's heatwave from approximately 17/5.

Further south, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are expected to have sunny skies and little rain from now until around 15/5, with widespread heatwaves and peak temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius. However, a change is anticipated from approximately 16/5, as the southwest monsoon is expected to form and become more active. This will lead to increased showers and thunderstorms across the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, gradually reducing and ending the heatwave.

The meteorological agency also predicts a delayed start to the rainy season this year for the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam. It is now expected to commence in the latter half of May, about half a month later than the multi-year average.

>>See detailed 7-day temperature forecast here.

Gia Chinh