According to data from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from August 2024 to the first half of October 2024, the North will experience two cold air waves on September 22 and October 1.
The cold air on October 1st affected the entire Northern region. The lowest temperature of the day dropped below 20 degrees Celsius, with some places below 15 degrees Celsius, such as Mau Son (Lang Son) 11.9 degrees Celsius; Dong Van (Ha Giang) 12.9 degrees Celsius; Sapa (Lao Cai) 12.5 degrees Celsius.
In the first half of October 2024, the temperature in the mountainous areas of the North was 0.5 - 1 degree Celsius lower, in some places 1.5 degree Celsius lower; other areas were generally approximately the same as the average for many years in the same period.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa - Deputy Head of Climate Forecasting Division, National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that cold air is forecast to increase in intensity and frequency from November 2024.
"We estimate that the first severe cold spell of this winter will occur in the second half of December 2024. From that point on, strong cold air will operate continuously. Severe cold spells will be concentrated from the second half of December to February 2025," said Mr. Hoa.
Previously, in 2023, severe cold spells appeared late. Last year was also considered a warm winter year. In late November and even into December 2023, the North was still dry and sunny with the highest temperature during the day in some places above 30 degrees Celsius.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa, this year's winter is likely to be colder than the winter of 2023 and the North is forecast to have more days of severe cold.
"This year's winter weather is forecast to be cold and dry in the first half of the season and cold and humid in the last half of the season (from around the end of February 2025 and March 2025, there is a possibility of light rain and drizzle). This is also consistent with the climate law," Mr. Hoa commented.
