The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said heat is likely to intensify across most parts of the country this month, with northern Vietnam and the north-central region from Thanh Hoa to Hue expected to experience above-average numbers of hot and severely hot days.
In the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, heat is forecast to persist through most of May before gradually easing toward the final week of the month.
The weather agency said the southwest monsoon is not expected to become active until the second half of May, delaying the onset of the rainy season in the Central Highlands and the south compared with historical averages.
Under normal conditions, the rainy season typically begins in late April or early May in the Central Highlands and in the first half of May in southern Vietnam.
Last month, average temperatures in northern Vietnam and parts of central Vietnam were 1.5-3 degrees Celsius above the long-term average following multiple heatwaves, while central provinces recorded peak temperatures of 37-40 degrees Celsius.
The agency warned that prolonged heat in May could affect agricultural production and daily life, while thunderstorms, whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong gusts may occur nationwide, particularly in northern mountainous areas, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam.
