In the first days of the new year 2026, a cold spell engulfed many regions of East Asia and Southeast Asia, pulling temperatures down to low levels, and at the same time increasing unfavorable weather phenomena such as rain, strong winds and thick fog.
In Taiwan (China), the CWA Meteorological Agency said that the strong cold air mass affected from January 2, causing temperatures in northern areas such as Taipei, Xinbei, Taoyuan, Jilong and Xinchu district to remain at 10 degrees Celsius or lower.
Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong warned that in the next few days, some low-lying areas may record temperatures dropping below 7 degrees Celsius in the early morning - a rare cold level for this subtropical island.
Northern and eastern Taiwan (China) are forecast to have rain on January 2, while the central and southern regions are dry but cold. By the end of the week, rain will gradually decrease but the cold will still cover the entire island.
Hong Kong (China) also welcomed the New Year in clear cold air. Hong Kong Meteorological Station (China) said that cold air caused temperatures to drop sharply by about 10 degrees Celsius.
The lowest temperature on January 2-3 was only about 12 degrees Celsius, down 10 degrees Celsius compared to the highest on the first day of the year. Some areas in Xinjiang may face severe cold, and it is likely that the first winter cold warning will be issued - something that has never happened since 1999.
In Thailand, the country's Meteorological Department said that the north and northeast of Thailand are entering the new year with cool weather, the lowest temperature is about 14 degrees Celsius, accompanied by morning fog. Notably, from January 2 to 6, a new cold air mass from China will pour down, causing temperatures to drop widely, including Bangkok, accompanied by strong winds.
In Vietnam, the weather forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that from January 2, cold air will affect the entire Northeast region, then spread to the Northwest region, North Central region, Central Central region and some places in the South Central region. Wind will shift northeast strongly at level 3, coastal level 4-5, with gusts at level 6 in some places.
Northern region has rain, scattered showers, locally thunderstorms. Thanh Hoa and Nghe An have rain, showers, risk of tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong gusts of wind. The weather turns cold in the Northern region and North Central region; especially the Northern mountainous region is very cold, with dangerous cold in some places.
The lowest temperature in this cold air wave in the North is commonly 11-14 degrees Celsius, mountainous areas 8-11 degrees Celsius, high mountainous areas below 7 degrees Celsius, beware of frost. Hanoi is cold, the lowest temperature is 12-14 degrees Celsius.
