The strong cold spell will affect the North-eastern region late on December 12 before seeping across the North-western, North-central and central regions the following day, said the national weather bureau.

From December 13–14, the Northern and North-central regions will experience a sharp drop in temperature, with severe cold in lowland areas and near-freezing conditions in the highlands.

Temperatures may dip below 10°C in midland and mountainous localities, under 5°C in higher elevations, and below 13°C in the Red River Delta.

A strong northeast monsoon is moving southwards, and from the night of December 12 through December 13 it is forecast to bring widespread moderate to heavy rain to the northern region, along with thunderstorms, hail and strong gusts triggered by wind convergence at 3,000–5,000 metres.

The cold spell is also anticipated to bring heavy rain to Quang Tri, Hue and coastal provinces in south-central Vietnam from December 13–15.

On December 10, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa saw moderate to heavy rainfall, recording more than 100 mm in some areas, including 194 mm in Dak Lak’s Song Hinh station and 138 mm in Khanh Hoa’s Khanh Hiep station.

Rain is expected to continue in Hue and the south-central coast through December 11, with totals of 15–30 mm and isolated areas exceeding 60 mm. The Central Highlands and South-eastern region may receive 10–30 mm.

The agency warned of possible tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds during thunderstorms, as well as a risk of flashfloods in small rivers and streams, landslides in steep terrain and flooding in low-lying areas.

Northern Vietnam braces for sharp cold snap from December 11

VOV.VN - A strong cold front is expected to bring widespread moderate to heavy rain and a rapid drop in temperatures across northern Vietnam from December 11, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.