Northern Vietnam is preparing for two cold fronts that will impact the region in early October, according to forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. The first cold front is anticipated to arrive on the night of September 30, bringing with it scattered rain and thunderstorms.

Phạm Thị Thanh Hoa, a meteorologist at the center, indicated that from the evening of September 30, the northern region will experience the effects of a weak northeastern monsoon, leading to a decrease in temperatures by approximately 2 to 4 degrees Celsius from October 1 to 2. Rainfall is expected to be sporadic, with some areas experiencing thunderstorms.

Following this, a stronger cold front is projected to arrive around the night of October 4, which will further enhance rainfall and lead to more significant temperature drops. This will result in noticeable changes in weather patterns across Northern Vietnam and the Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh region, with increased rainfall and cooler temperatures.

Additionally, Tạ Thị Hồng An, another meteorologist, mentioned that the current cold air activity is weaker than average for this time of year. She also highlighted that the ongoing El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist with strong intensity, potentially causing a significant reduction in rainfall in certain regions, particularly in the southern coastal areas and the Central Highlands.

As a result, the winter of 2026-2027 may see less cold weather than usual, with a delayed onset of harsh cold conditions. This could lead to drought and water shortages in southern provinces as early as the beginning of 2027.