Brian Jeffrey
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has announced that Northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam may encounter scattered showers and thunderstorms today (July 18). Some regions might see heavy rainfall, with precipitation levels exceeding 50mm between 7 AM and 3 PM in places like Tram Tau (Yen Bai) with 68mm, Van Don (Quang Ninh) with 90.6mm, Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) with 63mm, and Bao Loc (Lam Dong) with 50.6mm.
Tonight and tomorrow morning (July 19), Northern Vietnam and the North Central region are likely to face scattered showers and thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall expected in some areas ranging from 20-40mm and could exceed 90mm in isolated locations.
During this evening and tonight, the Central and South Central regions may experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with heavy rain anticipated in some areas from 10-30mm and surpassing 50mm in isolated spots.
The Central Highlands and Southern regions are also expected to have scattered showers and thunderstorms, with very heavy rainfall ranging from 20-40mm and possibly exceeding 70mm in isolated areas.
Possibilities of tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong winds during thunderstorms exist. Localized heavy rain could trigger flash floods in small rivers, landslides on steep slopes, and flooding in low-lying regions. Vigilance is advised for heavy rainfall in a short period that could lead to urban flooding.
The meteorological agency forecasts that from the night of July 19-20 and July 23-27, Northern Vietnam will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall likely mostly in the evenings and nights.
Localized hot weather is predicted in the Central region around July 21-22. Similarly, the North Central region will have weather patterns akin to Northern Vietnam, with scattered showers and thunderstorms from the night of July 19-20, possibly with heavy rain, particularly during the evenings and nights.
The Central Highlands and Southern regions will witness continued scattered showers and thunderstorms, with very heavy rainfall expected mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
A low-pressure area may develop in the East Sea, with the potential to intensify into a tropical depression.
The Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station indicates a low-pressure trough extending through the Southern Red River Delta and the North Central region in the next 1-2 days, moving gradually northwards through Northern Vietnam. By July 20, this trough is expected to heighten, connecting with a probable low-pressure area forming in the central East Sea.
During July 20-22, the likelihood of rain in the Southern region and Ho Chi Minh City is 70-75%, maintaining about 80% from July 23-28.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting alerts that significant rainfall has been experienced lately in various provinces and cities of Northern and Central Vietnam, with expectations of continued precipitation.
Soil moisture models suggest that several regions are nearly saturated (over 85%) or already at saturation levels.
In the upcoming hours, there is a heightened risk of flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and soil erosion in various areas, including those in multiple provinces like Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Hoa Binh.
