A cold air mass is set to bring scattered rain and sharply colder weather to northern Vietnam at Christmas
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold spell will follow a brief period of milder winter weather on Monday, while rainfall across central Vietnam is likely to ease.
On December 23, northeastern Vietnam will be mostly cloudy with isolated showers and morning fog, before clearing later in the day. Temperatures will range from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius, dropping below 16 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, with daytime highs of 24 to 27 degrees Celsius.
Hanoi is forecast to be cloudy with patchy rain and morning fog, followed by sunnier conditions later. Temperatures are expected to range from 19 to 21 degrees Celsius, rising to 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.
From the night of December 24 through Christmas Day, northern localities are expected to turn colder, with scattered rain and chilly conditions both day and night, and severe cold in mountainous areas.
Quang Tri, Hue, Danang, eastern Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and Dak Lak are forecast to experience a spell of widespread heavy rain around December 25-26.
Meanwhile, from around December 24-25, southern Vietnam is expected to see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with locally heavy rain. Thunderstorms may bring lightning and strong, gusty winds.