Cold spell hits the north hinh anh 1illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - A cold spell is predicted to hit Hanoi and the northern region from March 25, causing the temperature to drop significantly.

In the mountainous areas temperatures will drop to as low as 11 degrees Celsius, in the delta provinces to 14 degrees and in Hanoi to 15 degrees, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The cold spell, lasting at least two days, is expected to bring showers accompanied by lightning and strong winds to Hanoi and other nearby localities from March 25. It will also make the sea rough in the Tonkin Gulf and the northern part of the East Sea, the centre said on March 24.

In another development, the centre also warned that the average temperature this summer would be higher than the average temperature in recent years because of the El Nino phenomenon’s re-appearance in the second half of this year.

Le Thanh Hai, Deputy General Director of the centre, said it was the third consecutive year El Nino had made an appearance.

Due to the phenomenon, unseasonal rains, strong and super storms were also predicted to hit the country this year. Drought and water salinity could also occurred, he said.

However, this was just the initial forecast and the centre would closely monitor the affects of El Nino to issue a more exact and long-term forecast, he said.-VNA
VNA