New cold front to send Hanoi temperatures plunging from Wednesday

Forecasters say the front will reach the northeast early Wednesday before spilling across the delta and northwest. Mountain areas could plunge to 13–15 C overnight, with high-elevation towns dipping below 11 C. Lowland districts are expected to hover around 15–18 C.

Hanoi will feel the cool-down gradually. AccuWeather projects daytime temperatures of 24–25 C over the next two days, while nighttime readings fall from 20 C to around 16 C. By the weekend, the capital may top out at just 18–22 C. Over 1,500 meters, places like Sa Pa could see 9–13 C on Friday morning.

Central Vietnam is also in for a rough stretch as the cold air interacts with remnants of former Storm Koto and upper-level easterly winds.

From Tuesday night through Thursday, Hue, Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai may receive 100–200 mm of rain, with some areas topping 300 mm. Quang Tri, eastern Gia Lai to Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa are forecast to see 40–100 mm, with heavier pockets above 150 mm.

Along the coast and offshore, northeasterly winds will pick up from Tuesday night, with the Gulf of Tonkin seeing gusts and waves rising 2–4 meters. Conditions in the northern East Sea may produce even stronger gusts and 3–5-meter waves.

Meteorologists warn the combination of cold air and heavy rain could threaten livestock and crops, while also increasing the risk of landslides and flooding in low-lying or urban areas.

November saw three notable cold spells, including one that sent temperatures in Dong Van below 2 C, and experts expect both the frequency and intensity of cold surges to climb through December, especially in the northern mountains.