In a statement issued by Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) on February 15, La Niña conditions are expected to continue over the country in second half of February and March but decreases in the frequency and intensity of cold spells are in forecast for localities nationwide.

The NCHMF has warned that severe cold wave conditions are likely to grip the Northern midland and mountainous region.  

A high surf warning from the National Weather Service is in effect for the open sea and open waters in the Northern, Central and Southern regions with large breaking waves of 3-6m expected in the northern part and middle of the East Sea, 3-5m likely in the open waters in Central Viet Nam, and 2-3m in waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and the open waters of the Binh Thuan - Ca Mau coast. In addition, coastal areas of Central Viet Nam are at medium risk of coastal erosion due to the action of waves, national forecasters said.

Sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean are likely to increase gradually and reach the neutral state between April and May with the probability between 75 and 85 per cent of continued upward trend during the summer months, according to the NCHMF.

Second half of February into May, named storms and tropical depressions are less likely to develop in the East Sea, but tropical disturbances are expected to form in the southern part of the East Sea, the national forecasters said.

The NCHMF has warned that scorching heat wave is forecast to blanket the northwest and southern regions in March. Heat waves are set to increase in the intensity, and high temperatures are forecast to spread to the North Central Coast and mid- Central region in April and May.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – Translating by H.L