Heatwave Continues
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), during the five-day holiday period from April 27th to May 1st, the dominant weather condition across the country will continue to be hot and sunny.
"Over the past decade, it has been unprecedented to have heatwaves occur in all three regions of Vietnam (North, Central, and South) during the April 30th-May 1st holiday period," said Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Meteorological Forecasting Division at NCHMF. "The current high temperatures are due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, combined with a low-pressure system in the western area causing a prolonged heatwave during the holidays."
Northern Vietnam Hit Hard
Huong further stated that during the April 30th holiday, the northern region and central provinces will be affected by the circulation of the western low-pressure system. From April 26th to around April 30th, the northern region will experience intense heat and extreme heat, with peak daily temperatures reaching 36-39 degrees Celsius in the northwestern area and over 40 degrees Celsius in some places. The northeastern region and Hanoi will have temperatures ranging from 36-38 degrees Celsius, with some places reaching 38 degrees Celsius or higher.
Central and Southern Vietnam Not Spared
The central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen will also experience intense and extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 37-40 degrees Celsius and some areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
The Central Highlands and southern regions will also face widespread heat from April 26th to 30th, with temperatures reaching 35-37 degrees Celsius and up to 38 degrees Celsius in some places.
Relief on the Horizon
The NCHMF predicts that around April 30th or early May 1st, a weak cold air mass from mainland China will move southward, bringing with it rain showers and thunderstorms in the northern region. In the southern region, southwesterly winds are also expected, causing rain showers and thunderstorms.
Precautions for Early May
Throughout the early days of May, northern and southern regions should be prepared for thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, and hail, along with strong gusts of wind.
Severe Weather Warnings
The NCHMF warns that during the current transition period, there are often clashes between air masses with different characteristics, resulting in atmospheric instability and an increase in thunderstorms. In some cases, thunderstorms can lead to heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts of wind.
Long-Term Outlook
From now until June (with May being the focal point), northern Vietnam will experience a shift from the cold season to the hot season and from the dry season to the rainy season. This period typically sees the highest occurrences of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong winds.
Due to the mountainous terrain, the development of strong convective clouds can occur, resulting in thunderstorms accompanied by tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind.