On the afternoon of 3/2, Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, announced that the country's weather leading up to the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan) could be divided into three main phases.

The first phase, from 7 to 9/2 (the 20th to 22nd day of the 12th lunar month), is likely to see a medium to strong cold spell move into northern Vietnam, bringing rain and cold temperatures. The midland and mountainous areas could experience severe cold, with minimum temperatures generally ranging from 12-15 degrees Celsius and maximums from 15-18 degrees Celsius.

From Ha Tinh to Da Nang and the eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Gia Lai, thunderstorms are expected from 7 to 10/2, with some areas experiencing heavy rain. Khanh Hoa, eastern Lam Dong, the Central Highlands, and southern Vietnam will have less rain, with sunny days and no intense heat.

Dao O Dien (Ha Noi) is ready to bring peach blossoms to the streets. Photo: Hoang Giang

The next phase, from 10 to 13/2 (the 22nd to 26th day of the 12th lunar month), will see northern Vietnam affected by a weak cold spell, intensifying slightly and shifting eastward on 11/2. Due to this cold air, northern Vietnam will be cloudy with scattered rain, early morning fog, and light rain along the coast, clearing up with sunshine in the afternoon.

Minimum temperatures in northern Vietnam will generally be 13-16 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures will range from 19-22 degrees Celsius in the Northeast and 23-26 degrees Celsius in the Northwest. In central Vietnam, from 11 to 13/2, rain is expected at night and in the morning. Minimum temperatures in the area from Thanh Hoa to Hue will be 16-19 degrees Celsius, with maximums of 23-26 degrees Celsius. The South Central Coast will see minimums of 19-22 degrees Celsius and maximums of 26-29 degrees Celsius.

In the days leading up to Tet, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam will be cloudy at night and early morning, with fog, followed by sunny days and no intense heat. Minimum temperatures in the Central Highlands will typically be 14-17 degrees Celsius, with maximums of 25-28 degrees Celsius. Southern Vietnam will experience minimums of 22-25 degrees Celsius and maximums of 30-33 degrees Celsius. From 10 to 11/2, the southern Central Highlands and southern Vietnam may experience unseasonal rain.

For the main Tet holidays, from 14 to 20/2 (the 27th day of the 12th lunar month to the 4th day of Tet), detailed information is not yet available due to the extended forecast period. However, according to Lam, current models show no signs of a new cold spell. Northern Vietnam may experience scattered light rain and fog at night and in the morning, with cold temperatures, followed by light sunshine in the afternoon. Central Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and southern Vietnam will see some scattered rain.

Gia Chinh