A cold weather alert has been issued for Northern and Central Viet Nam as forecasters warn of bitter cold temperatures across these areas from Friday, February 18.  

Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting predicts that moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms likely in some places of Northern Viet Nam and Thanh Hoa due to the strong influence of an intense cold front and the upper-tropospheric westerly winds. Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds.

In general, 30-60 mm of rain is expected within the warning area but over 80 mm is likely in some places.

From Saturday, February 19, freezing temperatures are expected to strike the northern region and North Central Coast. The national weather forecaster has issued an extreme cold weather alert for Northern Viet Nam and Thanh Hoa from Sunday into next Tuesday as temperatures are expected to dip 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, and 3 to 6 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas. Frigid temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as zero on the temperature scales with the chance of frost and snow for these areas.

From Friday afternoon, by the coastal areas of Northern Viet Nam they will see high winds at level 4, and farther inland you could find northeast winds at level 3.

From Friday night, the Gulf of Tonkin and the Northern East Sea (including the waters of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago), could witness strong cold northeasterly wind at levels 6 to 7, and the gusts reaching levels 8 to 9, as well as experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-5m.

From Saturday night, the offshore areas of central Viet Nam will see gradually increasing winds at level 6, and gustiness of level 7, and experience rough seas with waves as high as 2-4m high.

Da Nang is likely to experience cloudy skies Thursday into next Friday, 25 February as national weather service forecasts no rain for the city on Thursday into Friday, next Monday into Wednesday, February 23. Rain is predicted across the city Saturday into Sunday, next Thursday into Friday, February 25. Temperatures in Da Nang can expect lows of 21 degrees Celsius on Thursday into Friday, 19 to 20 degrees Celsius on Saturday into Sunday, 18 degrees Celsius next Monday into Wednesday, February 23, and 17 to 18 degrees Celsius next Thursday into Friday, February 25.

The northern part of the region from Da Nang to Binh Thuan today will witness a chance for scattered showers while the southern part is likely to see light rain and thunderstorms in some places during late afternoon and night hours. Temperatures in these areas can expect lows of 21 to 24 degrees Celsius and highs of 27 to 30 degrees Celsius in these areas.

Sunshine is forecast for the Central Highlands and there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms in some places. Maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 28-31 degrees Celsius and 18-21 degrees Celsius.

Clinicians are reminding people across Northern Viet Nam and Central Viet Nam, including Da Nang, about the importance of keeping warm this winter.

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. People need to know how to keep warm and prevent cold for themselves and their families. When the weather drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the elderly and children are likely to suffer from diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, bone and joint problems. If not treated promptly, it can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, stroke, affecting life.

Evidence shows that prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 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.

Reporting by baotintuc – HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L