More than 60 million people across the United States are in the winter weather warning zone as a strong post-Christmas storm system sweeps into the northeast, while another "atmospheric river" continues to pour rain, strong winds and snow into California.
Forecasters say these extreme weather patterns could last for many days, right at the peak of people returning home during the Lunar New Year, causing serious disruption to both road and air traffic.
According to weather forecasts from US meteorological agencies, the region of 3 states New York - New Jersey - Connecticut suffered the heaviest winter storm on December 27. The state of New Jersey declared a state of emergency as snow began to accumulate.
Some forecast models show that many areas in New York and New Jersey may record snowfall of up to 23cm, depending on the storm's trajectory.
The storm early disrupted aviation. As of the morning of December 27, at least 1,300 flights across the United States were canceled, according to flight tracking data, and this number is forecast to increase as the storm strengthens.
Meanwhile, in the West Coast, California is facing particularly dangerous weather conditions due to an atmospheric river carrying prolonged heavy rain, strong winds and heavy snow in the mountains. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in many counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Shasta.
The rain caused casualties, with at least 3 deaths recorded in Southern California. Many localities recorded record rainfall on Christmas Eve or throughout the Christmas week, the highest in decades.
Cold air and snowstorms occur right during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The American Automobile Association estimates that more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 80km during the year-end holiday, increasing the risk of widespread delays as bad weather continues to rage from the West Coast to the East Coast.
For Vietnam, according to the weather forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting of Vietnam, in two days, December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026, in the North, there will be light rain in some places, scattered fog in the early morning, sunny in the afternoon; cold in the morning and at night. Highest temperature 23-26 degrees C, in some places above 26°C; lowest 17-20 degrees C, mountainous areas in some places below 16 degrees C.
From the night of January 1-4, 2026, the North will be cold in the morning and at night, with severe cold in some mountainous areas. The highest temperature is 20-23 degrees C; the lowest is 16-19 degrees C, in mountainous areas there are places below 16 degrees C.
In the South, from December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026, sunny days; showers and thunderstorms in some places in the late afternoon and night. Highest temperature 30-33 degrees C; lowest in the East 20-23 degrees C, the West 23-25 degrees C.
It is forecasted that around January 4th, cold air from the North will spill down to the South and potentially affect the mainland of Vietnam. It is possible that cold waves may cause a widespread cold spell in the northern provinces and deep cold spreading to the South.
