Cold wave intensifies in northern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam has seen drizzles for the past two days. The peaks of Mau Son mountain range in Lang Son Province were among the first areas to be affected by the cold wave, with temperatures dropping to three degrees on Monday, the lowest temperatures seen in the north.

Several mountainous areas have seen temperatures dropping to below 10 degrees on Monday, including Ha Giang’s Dong Van, Vinh Phuc’s Tam Dao and Lao Cai’s Sa Pa, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. In Hanoi, five weather stations recorded temperatures at 13 degrees.

The cold wave, most intense period is expected to persist until Jan. 25. For the next three to four days, the plains would see temperatures at 7-10 degrees, while temperatures may go sub-zero on mountainous areas, with ice and frost forming.

U.S. weather forecast service AccuWeather anticipated the cold wave to persist until Jan. 26, with the two coldest days on Tuesday and Wednesday, where temperatures would be around nine degrees at night, and 13-14 degrees during the day. In the days that come after, temperatures would increase by 1-2 degrees each day, to 15 degrees at the highest, and rains would return.

High-altitude locations like Lao Cai’s Sa Pa would see nighttime temperatures at 4-5 degrees in the next four days, with daytime temperatures no higher than nine degrees.

The cold wave would also affect central Vietnam regions, with Thanh Hoa experiencing it until Jan. 25. Nghe An and Ha Tinh would see the cold wave end a day earlier.