Today, the northern region is experiencing a strong cold snap, bringing rain and wind in the early morning. Temperatures continued to drop throughout the afternoon, causing a biting cold. The temperature at Mau Son (Lang Son), a 1.500-meter high peak in the Northeast, was 2,5 degrees Celsius, more than 12 degrees lower than yesterday.
Other areas also recorded low temperatures: Trung Khanh (Cao Bang) 6 degrees, Sin Ho (Lai Chau), Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), Ngan Son (Thai Nguyen), Bac Son, and That Khe (Lang Son) 8 degrees Celsius.
In Hanoi, the Hoai Duc station recorded 12 degrees, while the Ba Vi, Son Tay, Lang, and Ha Dong stations registered 13 degrees, a decrease of about 12 degrees compared to yesterday afternoon.
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Hanoi residents light fires to combat the cold. Photo: Giang Huy |
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that tonight and tomorrow will be the peak of this cold spell. The lowest temperatures in the northern region and Thanh Hoa will generally range from 10-13 degrees, with mountainous areas seeing 7-10 degrees, and high mountainous regions dropping to 4 degrees. From Nghe An to Hue, temperatures will typically be 14-17 degrees Celsius.
Accuweather, a US-based weather service, forecasts Hanoi's temperature tomorrow to be 10-14 degrees, then rising to 13-17 degrees. High-altitude areas above 1.500 meters, such as Sa Pa (Lao Cai), will experience lows of 6-12 degrees Celsius.
Beyond the cold, the Northern East Sea area (including the Hoang Sa special zone) will see winds of force 6-7, gusting to force 8-9, with sea waves 4-6 meters high. In the Gulf of Tonkin, winds will be force 6, gusting to force 7-8, and sea waves 2-3 meters high.
The area from southern Quang Tri to Khanh Hoa and the Central East Sea will have winds of force 6, gusting to force 7-8, with sea waves 2-5 meters high. The sea area from Lam Dong to Ca Mau, and the western part of the Southern East Sea (including the western sea area of the Truong Sa special zone), will experience winds of force 6-7, gusting to force 8-9, and sea waves 3-5 meters high.
From tonight until 23/1, Ha Tinh to Da Nang, and the eastern parts of provinces from Quang Ngai to Gia Lai, will experience scattered showers. High mountainous areas in the northern provinces should be wary of frost.
The meteorological agency warns that the intense cold can affect livestock farming and slow down or damage crop growth. Heavy rain poses risks of localized flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods in small rivers and streams, and landslides on slopes. Localized heavy rain can easily cause flooding in urban and industrial areas.
Gia Chinh
