The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has warned localities, particularly those located in the north and centre of the country, of a period of severe heat waves which are poised to start in April.

Nguyen Van Huong, an NCHMF official, states that the first heat wave of the year was recorded in the north-western and north-central area of the nation in early March, with temperatures ranging from 37 degrees Celsius to 39 degrees Celsius. 

As a result of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate phenomena, temperatures in the country are forecast to increase by up to two degrees Celsius in comparison to the annual average temperature seen during April, in addition to being up to one degree Celsius warmer between March and August.  

People in the north are bracing for severe heat waves this summer 

Huong says that the heat waves are predicted to hit the north-eastern region, including Hanoi, during April, with greater severity expected to follow during May and June.

Despite this forecast, the entire northern region is likely to experience a number of cold fronts throughout March and early April, with the latest cold spell set to hit on March 13 and March 17, bringing with it chilly conditions and light rain.

Simultaneously, southern regions are expected to experience periods of hot weather, particularly in south-eastern localities, until early April. It is anticipated that these conditions will serve to worsen widespread droughts.

According to the NCHMF, the nation is forecast to see a number of adverse weather conditions throughout the year. Cold fronts, accompanied by strong winds, hailstones and heavy rains, had previously struck the northern region in late January and early March, causing a great amount of property damage to local residents.  

“This is a rarely seen climate phenomenon, signalling a year with abnormal natural calamities ahead,” Huong confirms, warning that more hailstorms and heavy rains are likely to hit the north during the seasonal transition.