Northern Vietnam is bracing for a shift from intense heat to widespread thunderstorms by August 14, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. While Hanoi and parts of the northern delta endure peak temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius, central regions face prolonged, severe heat stretching toward mid-August.
Northern Heatwave Nears Its End as Storms Gather
The sweltering conditions dominating northern provinces are on the verge of breaking. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, temperatures across Bắc Bộ (except for Lai Châu and Điện Biên) experienced high heat on August 12 and 13, with peak readings at 13h on August 12 reaching 35-37 degrees and some areas surpassing 37 degrees. Recorded temperatures included Thất Khê (Lạng Sơn) at 37.1 degrees, Láng (Hà Nội) at 37.2 degrees, Sầm Sơn (Thanh Hóa) at 37.7 degrees, Quảng Ngãi at 37.3 degrees, Phan Rang (Khánh Hòa) at 37.7 degrees, Lạc Sơn (Phú Thọ) at 38.3 degrees, Nho Quan (Ninh Bình) at 38.5 degrees, and Tĩnh Gia (Thanh Hóa) at 38.3 degrees, with relative humidity dropping to 55-65%. On August 13, Bắc Bộ continued to see heat with high temperatures generally between 35 and 37 degrees, while Lai Châu and Điện Biên saw sunny days with highs of 35-37 degrees and localized spots over 37 degrees, accompanied by evening and nighttime showers and thunderstorms in some areas.
Relief is scheduled to arrive as showers and thunderstorms develop across the region from the afternoon and evening of August 14. On August 14, areas including the Đồng bằng Bắc Bộ, Sơn La, Lào Cai, Phú Thọ, and Tuyên Quang (excluding Điện Biên, Lai Châu, Sơn La, Quảng Ninh, and Hải Phòng in some metrics) will still experience heat, though intensities will ease slightly with maximum temperatures generally between 35 and 36 degrees and localized spots exceeding 36 degrees, and minimum relative humidity ranging from 55 to 65 percent.
Meteorologists indicate that starting from the afternoon and night of August 14, the Bắc Bộ region alongside Thanh Hóa, the Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam will encounter scattered showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts are forecast to range between 10 and 30 millimeters, with localized downpours surpassing 70 millimeters in isolated spots. Consequently, heat in Bắc Bộ is expected to terminate around August 15, with intermittent rain and thunderstorms persisting through August 17. From approximately August 18 onward, Bắc Bộ is expected to encounter continued rain, moderate rain, and scattered thunderstorms with localized heavy downpours.
Central Vietnam Endures Persistent Severe Temperatures
While the north prepares for cooler, wet weather, central provinces remain locked in an intense heat cycle. Data from national forecasters highlights that areas stretching from Thanh Hóa to Đà Nẵng, alongside the eastern portions of Quảng Ngãi to Đắk Lắk and Khánh Hòa, are experiencing severe heat with maximum temperatures generally hitting 35 to 38 degrees and certain locations pushing past 38 degrees, while relative humidity drops to 50-60 percent.
On August 14, the region from Thanh Hóa to Huế and south-central coastal areas will maintain maximum temperatures of 35 to 37 degrees, with some locations exceeding 37 degrees and relative humidity dipping to 50-55 percent. Forecasters project that broad heat across the Trung Bộ region could stretch outward until August 18. Furthermore, the region from Thanh Hóa to Hà Tĩnh is slated to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms from August 15 through August 23.
Safety Warnings Issued for Highlands and Southern Downpours
In the Central Highlands and southern provinces, the forecast notes ongoing local rain showers and thunderstorms. On August 7, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting issued warnings for thunderstorms, localized heavy rain, tornadoes, lightning, and hail across northern regions, Thanh Hóa to northern Quảng Trị, the central highlands, and the southern provinces. During the night and early morning of August 7, northern areas recorded heavy to very heavy rain, with measurements between 19:00 on August 6 and 03:00 on August 7 exceeding 70 mm at stations such as Nậm Hàng 1 (Lai Châu) at 129.8 mm, Phú Tiến (Phú Thọ) at 85.2 mm, and Chúc Sơn (Hà Nội) at 79 mm.
For subsequent days, northern regions and the area from Thanh Hóa to northern Quảng Trị anticipate scattered rain and thunderstorms yielding 15 to 30 mm, with specific zones receiving over 80 mm before rain diminishes. Similarly, the Central Highlands and southern regions expect afternoon and evening rain and thunderstorms generating 15 to 30 mm, with isolated spots exceeding 80 mm. Citizens are explicitly advised to stay alert for tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind during thunderstorms.
Related reading