A cold wave has been hitting Hanoi and northern Vietnam since November 22, which has caused the temperatures in the capital city to drop to 14-17 degrees Celsius, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Weather Forecasting Department under the NCHMF said that this was the first major cold wave in the north in the 2021-22 Winter.

Cold air on November 22 morning made motorbike drivers wrap themselves up with masks, hats and coats to prevent wind chill. Photo: Trong Tai

“The cold spell will sweep through northern Vietnam before moving south, resulting in showers and driving down temperatures in Hanoi by around ten degrees. In mountainous areas, the temperature would be 10-17 degrees Celsius, dropping further to 8 degrees Celsius at higher altitudes,” Huong told The Hanoi Times.

He added that it will be cold and wet on Monday and Tuesday before becoming dry and frigid from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, localities in the central region of Vietnam, from Nghe An to Quang Ngai, are likely to see rain starting Monday. The area from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue would see temperatures fall to between 15-18 degrees.

In mountainous areas, the mercury may dip to below 7 degrees Celsius, resulting in frost on such high mountains as Mau Son, Dong Van, and Fansipan, Huong continued.

“Local residents, especially the elderly and children, are advised to make preparations to protect themselves from the chilly weather, as a sudden drop in temperature can cause various respiratory diseases. People should don extra jackets and bundle up against the biting cold,” Huong noted.

He expected temperatures are expected to climb up towards at the weekend.

The weather pattern is likely to repeat between December and February, he stated, adding that the 2021-22 Winter will be colder than the preceded one.

“From now until the end of the year, Vietnam is expected to be hit by one or two more storms or tropical depressions. People in central and south-central provinces should also be prepared for medium to heavy rains from now until mid-December,” Huong warned.

He added that in the dry months of 2021-2021, off-season rains are likely to appear in the Central Highlands and the South.