Hail storms and strong winds tore off the roof of a house in Bát Xát District, Lào Cai Province in late March. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Quốc Khánh

HÀ NỘI —As Việt Nam steps into April, meteorologists warn that the country is bracing for a dynamic weather pattern characterised by heatwaves, hail storms and seasonal shifts.

Trần Thị Chúc, Deputy Head of the Climate Forecast Department at the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, forecasts that the low-pressure system in the western region will strengthen between now and April 30, leading to increased heat and more hot days.

Throughout the country, dangerous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, and hail might occur, affecting daily activities. 

During the forecast period, the average temperature across the country is expected to be about one to two degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average for the same period.

The hottest conditions will focus on the Northern, the North Central and the Central Regions. Widespread and increasing heat is also anticipated for the Central Highlands and the Southern Region as the rainy season has yet to begin.

Although the cold front is expected to weaken and shift toward the East, it still has the potential to cause strong winds and large waves in the northern part of the East Sea (commonly known as the South China Sea).

Another cold front from the north is forecast to dive southward and clash with high pressure over northern Việt Nam on April 5. This will mitigate the recent heat wave in the Northeast Region with cooler temperatures and thunderstorms.

Between April 7 to 9, a late-season Northeast monsoon is anticipated to sweep down, causing cold spells in the Northern Region (with a focus on the period from April 8 to 10).

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

Rainfall totals over the next few weeks are projected to be around 10 and 20 mm below normal levels for most of Việt Nam. Even larger deficits of between 30 to 60mm are forecast for the Northwest, Southern Central Highlands, and Southern Regions compared to averages.

According to Vũ Anh Tuấn from the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre, the Northern Region is transitioning from spring into summer conditions. During this seasonal change, northern provinces can expect more frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail, especially from March through May, peaking in April.

Looking ahead, a pattern shift is underway across the country. The North and Central Regions are forecast to warm from their recent chill, while the Southern Region transitions from dry to more humid conditions. — VNS