According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cold air affected the entire northeastern region and most of the north-central provinces on May 4, while also reaching parts of the northwest. Weather conditions across northern and north-central Vietnam were marked by moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rainfall combined with thunderstorms.

Temperatures in the northeastern region generally ranged from 19 to 22°C, while high mountainous areas recorded temperatures below 19°C. In the north-central region, temperatures were slightly higher, ranging from 23 to 25°C.

In Hanoi, residents experienced scattered showers and thunderstorms in the morning, with localised heavy rain and a cool atmosphere. The lowest temperatures in the city during this cold spell hovered around 20 to 22°C.

The cold air mass is expected to continue affecting other areas, including north-central, northwestern, and parts of central Vietnam. Forecasts indicate that rainfall will remain widespread, with moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms in many areas. Some locations in the northeastern region and Thanh Hoa province may receive rainfall between 10 and 20mm, with isolated areas exceeding 40mm. From Nghe An to Hue, rainfall is anticipated to range from 10 to 30mm, with some places receiving more than 50mm.

Meteorological experts have warned that thunderstorms during this period may be accompanied by dangerous phenomena such as whirlwinds, lightning strikes, and hail. These conditions could cause significant disruption, including damage to homes, fallen trees, and disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. Heavy localised rainfall also increases the risk of flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and flooding in low-lying areas.

Preliminary reports show by 17:00 on May 3, thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and hail had already caused significant damage in several northern provinces. A total of 12 people were reported injured, including five in Thai Nguyen and seven in Tuyen Quang. Nearly 950 houses had their roofs blown off, with the most affected areas including Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Tuyen Quang, and Lao Cai. In addition, around 1,600 hectares of rice fields and crops were damaged across Dien Bien, Thai Nguyen, Hanoi, and Tuyen Quang.

According to experts, late-season cold spells bring not only an unexpected drop in temperatures but also severe weather events that may cause notable human and agricultural losses. A similar cold air mass is forecast to hit the northern region on May 8-9. People are advised to closely monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.

Northern Vietnam to see brief cold spell before first heatwave of 2026

VOV.VN - Northern Vietnam is set to experience a weak cold spell in the coming days before the first heatwave of 2026 arrives early next week, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.