The National Centre for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting said the cold air would affect the northeastern region from the early hours and daytime of January 31, before spreading to the northern central, northwestern and central regions.
Light, scattered rain is forecast across the northern and northern central region on the night of January 30 and throughout January 31. From January 31, the northeast will turn cold, with some mountainous areas experiencing severe cold. From the night of January 31, cold conditions will also extend to the northern central and northwestern regions, excluding Dien Bien and Lai Chau.
Forecasters said minimum temperatures during this cold spell in northern and the north central region will generally range from 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. In mountainous areas, temperatures are expected to fall to between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius, with some high altitude locations dropping below 8 degrees Celsius.
In Hanoi, light rain is forecast on the night of January 30 and during January 31, before colder conditions set in from January 31. Minimum temperatures in the capital are expected to range from 13 to 15 degrees Celsius.
The weather agency also warned that from February 1 to the night of February 3, areas from Quang Tri to Danang and the eastern parts of Quang Ngai and Gia Lai provinces are likely to see rain, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms due to the influence of the cold air.
