The Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has predicted light to moderate showers in the parts of Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, from Saturday but indicated the possibility of thundershowers with lingering showers into next Monday, December 27 due to the combined influence of cold air and the upper-tropospheric easterly winds. Moderate to heavy rain is expected in some areas of the region.

There are also warnings of lightning strikes, high winds, tornadoes and hail in these areas.

By the coast they will see gradually increasing northeast winds at levels 4 to 5, and farther inland you could find high winds at levels 3 to 4.

From the midday on Saturday, December 25, the offshore areas stretching from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, could see gradually increasing northeast winds at levels 6 to 7 and the gusts reaching level 8, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m.

The waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands will witness high winds at levels 6 to 7, and gustiness of levels 8 to 9, rough seas with waves as high as 3-5m.

Regional weather forecasters have warned that residents in the region can expect much cooler temperatures from Sunday, December 26.

From Sunday, a cold weather snap is predicted for the parts from Quang Binh to Thua Thien –Hue, especially in their mountainous areas from next Monday into Tuesday, December 28. Temperatures in the plains of Quang Binh province can expect lows of 14 to 16 degrees Celsius and are likely fall further to 12 to 14 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas.

Very cold conditions are also expected to set in, with daytime temperatures plummeting to 15-17 degrees Celsius over Quang Tri and Thua Thien- Hue, and 13-15 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas.

From next Monday, December 27, temperatures are expected to drop to 18-20 degrees Celsius in the plains of the parts from Da Nang to Quang Ngai, and are likely fall further to 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas.

The Da Nang Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control and Search and Rescue is urging authorities at local level and relevant agencies to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to rainfall and high winds.

The Da Nang Border Guard Command will work closely with the Da Nang Coastal Information Station to keep owners of vessels operating at sea timely informed about severe weather conditions in order to help them avoid the bad weather.

The Da Nang Border Guard Command will keep a close watch on offshore and inshore vessels in order to organize timely rescue of any person in distress at sea during severe weather.

Authorities at local level must assist their residents to prepare for severe weather in an attempt to keep them safe. In addition, all necessary measures are needed to move people living in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams and areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides to safe places with proper precautions against COVID-19 in place.

Besides, the heed is paid on providing guidance and advice for construction sites to prepare for severe weather.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L