Northern Vietnam is forecast to experience a change in weather conditions from late September as a weak cold air mass moves southward, ending a prolonged period of hot temperatures across the region.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold front is expected to arrive from the evening of September 30.
The weather system is forecast to lower temperatures by around 3-4 degrees Celsius compared with recent days. Maximum temperatures across northern provinces are expected to fall to between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures in high-altitude mountainous areas could drop below 20 degrees Celsius.
The arrival of cooler air is also expected to bring a period of scattered showers and thunderstorms beginning on the night of September 30.
Forecasters said rainfall is likely to occur intermittently and in localised areas rather than as widespread or prolonged heavy rain. The risk of large-scale flooding from this weather system is currently considered low.
In the north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh, scattered showers and thunderstorms are also forecast from the night of September 30, with some areas potentially experiencing heavy rainfall.
Meteorologists said the rainfall in these provinces is likely to be enhanced by the interaction between the incoming cold air mass and terrain that is exposed to moisture-laden winds.
The change in weather is expected to provide temporary relief from above-average temperatures that have affected northern Vietnam in recent weeks.
