Viet Nam’s National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has issued a colder weather alert for Northern Viet Nam due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures in the region.

The national weather service said that an intense cold snap is heading south over the country, and hit much parts of the northern region on Saturday. It will affect North Central Coast and Mid-central region, including Da Nang, and South Central Coast from Monday, January 22.

Northern Viet Nam is experiencing an extreme cold snap with the chance of hail and snow for some places. Photo: TTXVN

A severe cold weather alert has been issued for Northern and North Central Coast as national forecasters warn of bitter cold temperatures across these areas from late Saturday afternoon, January 20. The frigid temperatures are expected to linger for several days, and will be widespread across these areas.

From Saturday, January 20, freezing temperatures are expected to strike the northern region as temperatures are set to dip 7 to 10 degrees Celsius in their delta and coastal areas, and 3 to 6 degrees Celsius in their mountainous areas. Frigid temperatures can be expected in high mountains where can be as cold as below zero on the temperature scales with the chance of snow and salt-frost for these areas.

North Central Coast will also reel under intense cold wave as the minimum temperature is likely to settle from 9-12 degrees Celsius.

The cooler weather is expected to work in the parts from Quang Binh to Thua Thien-Hue. The cold wave conditions intensify as the mercury is expected to drop further from Monday, January 22 in these areas with the temperature likely to fall as low as 13-16 degrees Celsius.

From Monday, January 22, by the coastal areas of Northern Viet Nam and North Central Coast they will see high winds at levels 4 to 5 and the gusts reaching levels 6 to 7, and farther inland you could find northeast winds at level 3.

From Saturday evening into Monday, January 22, scattered showers and the chance for isolated thunderstorms are possible in the northern region.

From Monday into Wednesday, January 24, showers with scattered thunderstorms at most places with heavy falls at isolated places are likely over the North Central Coast and the mid-central region, including Da Nang.

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

The national weather service is urging authorities in affected areas to take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to severe cold weather.

Authorities in the warning areas are asked to take appropriate measures to prepare for severe cold weather. Residents should be recommended taking actions to help protect against severe cold and freezing temperatures as exposure to extreme cold can be dangerous to people's health. People are urged to keep warm, eat well and stay active. Those who need to take extra care include older adults and kids along with those living with a long term condition such as heart disease.

People, especially those living 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.

Forecasters has also warned that localised heavy rain will increase the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as flooding in low-lying and urban areas.

Reporting by BAOTINTUC – Translating by H.L