Showers are forecast to return to the Mid-central region starting from today, January 17.

Monday into Wednesday, January 19, the Mid-central region, including Da Nang, could continue to witness showers with possibility of thunderstorms in some places due to the combined influence of cold air and the intertropical convergence zone, according to Viet Nam’s National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the national forecasters warned.

Flash flooding and landslides are expected in mountainous areas in Northern Viet Nam.

The national weather forecaster has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Northern Viet Nam as temperatures are expected to dip 11 to 14 degrees Celsius, and 8 to 11 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas. Freezing temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as below 5 degrees Celsius with the chance of frost for these areas. Temperatures in North Central Coast can expect lows of 14 to 17 degrees Celsius.

By the coast they will see high winds at level 4, and farther inland you could find northeast winds at level 3.

The Gulf of Tonkin could witness strong cold northeasterly wind at level 6, and the gusts reaching level 7, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-3m.

The Northern East Sea (including the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago), and the offshore areas stretching from Khanh Hoa to Ca Mau, the waters of the western part of ​​the Southern East Sea (including the western part of ​​the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands) will see northeast winds at level 6, and gustiness of levels 7 to 8, and experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m high.

Health experts recommend focusing on preventing illness as the cold weather strikes. You should dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house as well as try to stay away from cold places.

Health experts are urging elderly, kids and vulnerable people in particular to take extra steps to help protect their health as conditions become more wintery.

People are urged to keep warm, eat well and stay active. Those who need to take extra care include people who are aged 60 or over, kids and those living with a long term condition such as heart disease.

Evidence shows that prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It can also worsen respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma particularly with sudden temperature changes such as moving from indoors to outdoors.

Residents in mountainous areas are recommended to use caution and limit outdoor exposure under cold conditions. In addition, they should not sleep with burning coal in closed room.

Besides, residents in mountainous areas should cover and keep their livestock, plants and aquatic products warm to minimize losses in the cold weather, especially in deep-lying and remote areas, and high mountains.

Today, January 17, cloudy skies and showers are expected in the parts from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue with moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms likely in some places. Thunderstorms can produce strong winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes, the national forecasters warned. North and northwest winds at level 3 may reach these areas. Temperatures in these areas can expect lows of 14 to 17 degrees Celsius and highs of 17 to 20 degrees Celsius.

The northern part of the region from Da Nang to Binh Thuan today will witness a chance for showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and night hours while the southern part is likely to see light rain and thunderstorms in night hours. These areas will see cold temperatures for the morning and night hours. Temperatures in these areas can expect lows of 19 to 22 degrees Celsius and 22 to 24 degrees Celsius in the northern and southern parts respectively, highs of 26 to 29 degrees Celsius in these areas.

Sunshine is forecast for the Central Highlands and there is a chance of thunderstorms in some places. Maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 26-29 degrees Celsius and 15-18 degrees Celsius.

Reporting by Vietnam+ – Translating by H.L