Persistent rain blankets Ho Chi Minh City in rare January phenomenon

While the region typically experiences its dry season this time of year, the city has seen widespread precipitation for several consecutive days, disrupting the typical climatic patterns of the southern metropolis.

The damp conditions began on Monday afternoon and transitioned into a heavy, overcast Tuesday morning, with a thick mist shrouding high-rise buildings across the skyline.

Early showers were initially concentrated in the city's western gateways, specifically impacting areas such as Binh Tan and parts of the former District 8.

By 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the weather intensified as heavy downpours swept through the suburbs of Hoc Mon and Cu Chi before moving into inner-city districts, causing significant delays for commuters and hindering daily outdoor activities.

People ride motorbikes in heavy rain on Pho Quang Street of Duc Nhuan Ward in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

Le Dinh Quyet, Head of the Forecasting Department at the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, noted that while unseasonal January rain has appeared in southern Vietnam in recent years, it is usually characterized by brief, fleeting showers.

This year's event is distinct due to the formation of a low-pressure belt in the south which, when paired with cold air, has caused the rain to linger far longer than usual.

This sustained duration marks the current weather pattern as a rare occurrence for the start of the year.

Heavy rain on Tran Hung Dao Street in HCMC downtown on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tuyet

Meteorologists expect the unseasonal rain to persist into Wednesday, though the intensity of the precipitation is projected to decrease throughout the day.

A more significant shift in weather is anticipated between Jan. 8 and 13, as a stronger and drier cold air mass begins to influence southern Vietnam. This transition is expected to bring an end to the damp spell, ushering in a period of dry conditions with noticeably cooler temperatures during the night and early morning hours.