Cold, wet weather expected during Tet holiday

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. (Illustrative Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. (Illustrative Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The northern region of Vietnam is expected to experience cold weather and drizzle during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Deputy Director of the NCHMF Hoang Phuc Lam stated that in the period leading up to Tet, from January 17 to 25, northern Vietnam will experience light morning fog, dry and sunny days, and continued cold temperatures. In central Vietnam, from Thanh Hoa to Hue, the weather will be mostly cloudy with little to no rain and cold temperatures.

The region from Da Nang to Binh Thuan will see cold weather at night and in the morning, while daytime temperatures will be mild and sunny. In the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, the nights and early mornings will be cloudy, with light fog or mist, but the days will be dry and warm without extreme heat.

During the main Tet period from January 27 to 31, northern Vietnam will be affected by a northeast monsoon, resulting in cold weather, with severe cold in mountainous areas. The northeastern region may see some days with light rain or drizzle.

In the northern central region, the strong northeast monsoon during Tet will also bring cold temperatures with occasional light rain. In the central and southern central regions, scattered rain and showers are expected in the days leading up to Tet.

Over Tet, the eastern coastal areas of southern Vietnam will experience tidal surges from January 30 to February 2. The highest tide levels during this period could reach 4.1 metres, potentially causing flooding in some coastal and estuary areas.

Weather patterns for 2025

In 2025, the ENSO phenomenon is predicted to return to a neutral state with a probability of 55-65% over the three-month period from March to May. It is expected to remain in a neutral state for the rest of the year.

This means that while a La Niña event may persist briefly in early 2025, it may not last long enough to be classified as a full La Niña cycle. It is expected to gradually transition back to neutral conditions.

Based on these forecasts, Lam highlighted several key weather and climate trends for 2025:

Under La Niña conditions, winds in the Pacific Ocean will strengthen, reducing convective activity near the central Pacific while increasing it over the western Pacific. As a result, Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and southern Vietnam, may experience above-average rainfall in the early months of 2025. This could lead to unseasonal rains in southern Vietnam during the dry season.

Regarding tropical depression activity, the number of storms in the East Sea (known internationally as South China Sea) is expected to be similar to the multi-year average, with storm formation beginning around June. The number of tropical storms and depressions affecting the East Sea and Vietnam’s mainland is also expected to be in line with historical averages, with about 11 to 13 storms forming in the region and approximately five or six making landfall.

Heatwaves in 2025 are also expected to be on par with historical averages. Hot weather will likely begin in the southern and Central Highlands regions around early March, in the northwestern region and western parts of central Vietnam around April, and in northeastern Vietnam and coastal central regions from May onwards. However, the intensity and duration of heatwaves in 2025 are not expected to be as severe as in 2024.

Meanwhile, cold air activity in 2025 is expected to be in line with historical averages, meaning that severe cold spells could occur between January and March. Strong cold snaps could lead to widespread severe cold conditions, frost and freezing rain in northern mountainous areas.

In addition, in 2025, the number of large-scale heavy rain events across the country is expected to be similar to the long-term average, with approximately 20 such events. These heavy rain episodes will likely begin in the northern region around June and gradually shift southward, ending in the central region around December, Lam emphasised.

During the early dry season of 2025, saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta is expected to be higher than the historical average from February to April. This may impact livelihoods and agriculture in affected areas, but it is not expected to be as severe as in the dry seasons of 2015-2016 and 2019-2020.

From March to July 2025, drought and water shortages could affect some areas in the provinces of Phu Yen to Binh Thuan, as well as Kon Tum, Gia Lai and Dak Lak.

With the increasing intensity of strong storms due to climate change, the NCHMF will integrate storm monitoring and warning systems into digital platforms, providing information to the public and government agencies. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be applied in forecasting and early warning systems, initially focusing on storm tracking, heavy rainfall prediction and other rare weather events.

The use of AI will enhance the centre’s ability to analyse large datasets from various sources (observations, radar, satellites and numerical models) and improve short-term severe weather forecasting, including storm warnings three to six hours in advance. This will help enhance the accuracy of flood and landslide early warning systems./.

VNA

See more

Vice Rector of Nha Trang University Prof. Pham Quoc Hung speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Int’l symposium on marine, fisheries science opens in Khanh Hoa

The 5th International Symposium on Marine & Fisheries Science and Technology focuses discussions on aquaculture technology, marine environment and climate change, sustainable fisheries and resource conservation, seafood processing and post-harvest technology; infrastructure, marine transport, and smart aquaculture; and marine economy and green tourism.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong (L) and other Vietnamese delegates at the second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia. (Photo:: the Ministry of Health).

Vietnam contributes solutions to reduce air pollution

Key measures proposed included promoting clean energy transitions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, developing sustainable transportation, cutting emissions from motor vehicles, managing industrial and household waste efficiently, and having stricter regulations on industrial emissions control.

The bomb is moved for safe disposal. (Photo: VNA)

Over-200kg wartime bomb unearthed in Binh Phuoc

The bomb was identified as part of the MK series, measuring 1.5 to 2 metres in length and deeply buried underground, requiring the provincial command’s deployment of specialised personnel for its removal.

Sam cuong dai is one of the newly-found species in the Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan province. (Photo: Institute of Tropical Biology)

Three new plant species discovered in Nui Chua National Park

The newly discovered species are shrub-like smaller trees with floriferous branchlets called Sam cuong dai (Memecylon longipedunculatum), Diep ha chau Nui Chua (Nymphanthus adenophorus) and Long muc Nui Chua (Wrightia nuichuaensis). Their discovery was officially published in Phytotaxa, a leading international journal on plant taxonomy and biodiversity, on January 19, 2025.

At the MoU signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho, Fukuoka sign MoU to boost climate resilience

By leveraging Fukuoka’s advanced technologies, effective management models, and valuable lessons, Can Tho aims to adopt innovative solutions to improve its drainage system, ultimately fostering a more sustainable living environment for its residents.

Earth Hour Kick-off Ceremony last year. (Photo: VNA)

Countdown to Earth Hour underway

This is an opportunity to showcase advanced technologies and products while reaffirming the commitment to developing and promoting clean energy in Vietnam.

At the workshop in Ha Long on March 3 (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

Workshop promotes resources accounting, sustainable blue economy development

Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Institute Of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, the global forum on natural capital accounting, and the University of New South Wales, the event aimed to share experiences and develop ocean accounts at local, national, and regional levels.