Vietnam is forecast to see more than usual extreme weather events in 2024, including heatwaves and hailstorms, as climate change continues to have an impact.

El Nino is gradually weakening and is anticipated to change to La Nina in the last months of the year, causing heavy rain in the central region.

April saw 112 heat records as the country baked in sweltering weather, with many places breaking temperature records set over a decade ago.

HCMC has endured an unprecedented 79 days of scorching heat above 35 degrees Celsius so far this year, the highest number of hot days in nearly three decades, according to a weather expert.

Vietnam is expected to brace for more severe heat waves in May due to the strong expansion of the western warm air, according to a national meteorologist.

Heat will gradually decrease from Wednesday in the northern and central regions; and from Saturday in the Central Highlands and the South, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Two elderly people in central Ha Tinh province has suffered from heatstroke and died when venturing out during the height of the ongoing heat wave in Vietnam.

The entire country is set to experience a hot spell with some places recording temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius during the consecutive five-day national holiday from April 27 to May 5.

Nationwide, average temperatures in May are forecast to be one to two degrees Celsius higher than the average for this time of year.

Following a stretch of strong thunderstorms, the Northern region of Vietnam will enter a period of intense heat starting today, April 25.

About 20,090ha of farmland and over 2,600 households have been hit by drought and water scarcity in the Central Region, Central Highlands, and Northeastern Regions, which are now in the peak period of the 2023 - 2024 dry season.

The hailstones measured 2-3cm, some as large as hen’s eggs.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that the capital city of Hanoi is unlikely to experience temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius as information spreads on social media.

Thunderstorms accompanied by hail struck several districts of Hanoi capital on April 20 evening.

An unexpected period of hail hit Tra Mai commune and Nam Tra My district in the central province of Quang Nam amidst the dry season, on the afternoon of April 18.

The nation’s northern region will endure a heat wave starting from April 11, with daytime temperatures anticipated to rise to as high as 31°C in some localities, according to the National Centre for hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

A cold air wave is hitting northern Vietnam, helping to send early summer temperatures dipping thanks to moderate winds and light showers.

According to the meteorological agency, many places in the Northern and Central regions have experienced scorching temperatures exceeding 40-41 degrees Celsius and will continue to be intense on the 2nd and the 3rd of April.

More comfortable conditions are then expected from April 8 to 14 before hot weather returns.