Unusual Cold Snap Hits Hanoi, Brings Heavy Rain and Agricultural Damage

File photo for reference only

Residents of Hanoi experienced an unexpected chill on Sunday as temperatures dropped to an unusual 20 degrees Celsius for late May. This temperature dip, though not unprecedented, is part of a broader weather pattern affecting northern Vietnam.

The cool temperatures are attributed to a cold air mass coupled with high-altitude winds, bringing heavy rain and unseasonably cool temperatures to the region. Lowland areas across northern Vietnam recorded temperatures between 20–22 degrees, while the mountainous region of Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province saw a drop to 14 degrees.

In Hanoi, a weather station in Ha Dong District recorded a low of 20.6 degrees. Meteorologists pointed out that similar cold snaps have occurred in the past, with Hanoi even reaching 14 degrees in May during one such event.

This cold front has resulted in torrential downpours across northern and north-central provinces, mainly affecting areas like Ha Tinh. On Saturday alone, 55 out of 103 weather stations in the province reported rainfall above 100 mm, with some areas exceeding 600 mm, setting historical records for the month of May.

The heavy rains have severely impacted agriculture, damaging over 2,000 tons of harvested rice and 2,200 hectares of paddy fields. Nearly 12,000 heads of poultry and cattle were swept away by the floods.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that the rain will continue in northern Vietnam until Tuesday, particularly during early morning and evening hours. Conditions are expected to gradually improve after Friday as the cold air weakens and the high-altitude winds diminish.

According to forecasts from U.S. weather service AccuWeather, Hanoi's temperatures will range from 24–32 degrees this week, while Sa Pa is expected to remain cooler, with temperatures between 17–21 degrees.

In central Vietnam, rain is expected from Nghe An to Quang Binh on Monday, and from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh between Tuesday and Thursday. Drier and hotter conditions are likely to return starting Friday, beginning in the western regions and spreading outward.

Meanwhile, southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands will see a short respite from rain on Monday and Tuesday, with wetter weather anticipated to return by Wednesday.

This unusual weather pattern highlights the ongoing challenges faced by agricultural communities and reinforces the importance of preparedness for such unexpected climatic shifts.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-26