Northern Vietnam entered its second day under the influence of a strengthened cold spell, causing temperatures to plummet across the region. Mau Son peak, at 1,500 m, was the coldest spot, recording just over 3 degrees Celsius, nearly half of yesterday's temperature. Many high-altitude areas, including Pha Dinh (Dien Bien), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Dong Van (Tuyen Quang), and Tam Dao (Phu Tho), saw temperatures between 6 and 8 degrees.

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

Areas first experiencing the cold wind, such as Mong Cai, Cua Ong, Bai Chay (Quang Ninh), and Phu Lien (Hai Phong), recorded temperatures as low as 11 degrees. Locations deep within forests, like Cuc Phuong (Ninh Binh), recorded similar levels.

Hanoians warming themselves by a fire during the cold spell in 2024. *Photo: Giang Huy*

Central Vietnam also experienced the cold spell, with temperatures dropping according to terrain. In Thanh Hoa, stations in Hoi Xuan, Yen Dinh, Bai Thuong, and Nhu Xuan recorded 13 degrees. Nghe An and Ha Tinh, including Quy Hop, Tay Hieu, Quynh Luu, Vinh, Huong Son, and Huong Khe, generally saw 14 degrees.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold air mass continues to spread to the Central Central and South Central regions today. The Northern and North Central regions will experience cold weather, with severe cold in mountainous and midland areas, and extreme cold in some places. The Northern Delta may also see severe cold. Quang Tri and Hue will be cold at night and in the morning. The lowest temperatures during this period in the Northern Delta and North Central region are expected to be 12-15 degrees, mountainous areas 9-12 degrees, and high mountains in some places below 5 degrees. Quang Tri - Hue will range from 17-19 degrees.

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

The meteorological agency warns that severe and extreme cold could significantly impact livestock, poultry, and crop growth. Heavy rain can 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