Ho Chi Minh City to enter dry season early, with harsher heat expected

Le Dinh Quyet, head of the forecasting division at the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Station, said weather systems responsible for the rainy season in southern Vietnam were gradually weakening.

This suggests the rainy season will end 15 to 20 days earlier than the long-term average this year.

Some areas, including Nha Be in Ho Chi Minh City and the former provinces of Ben Tre, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, are expected to see the rainy season end in early November.

Other localities will follow, with the season expected to end across most of southern Vietnam by mid-November.

The dry season is forecast to be particularly hot as El Nino strengthens. November and December are expected to mark its peak.

“Hot weather will arrive early, with some days of intense heat likely from mid-February. Temperatures are expected to peak in March and April, with average temperatures 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above the long-term average,” Quyet warned.

Maximum temperatures in Bien Hoa and Dong Xoai, both located in Dong Nai City, could reach 39 degrees Celsius or higher, he said, adding that severe drought and water shortages could occur during the 2027 dry season.

Regarding weather conditions across Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities during Thursday, the regional weather agency forecast strong sunshine and daytime highs of 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, with some areas of Bien Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

In southeastern Vietnam, afternoon and evening showers are expected in Lam Dong, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City, with localized downpours in some locations.

Scattered thunderstorms could continue late into the night in Dong Nai and Tay Ninh.

High tides are also expected in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday evening, reaching 1.64 meters at Phu An Station at 8:00 pm, 1.67 meters at Nha Be Station at 7:00 pm and 1.75 meters at Thu Dau Mot Station at 9:00 pm.

Residents in low-lying and riverside areas should stay prepared for tidal flooding, as inundation will possibly persist on several roads.

In the Mekong Delta, or the country’s southwestern part, showers are forecast in many areas, mainly in the afternoon and evening, with An Giang and Ca Mau expected to receive the heaviest rainfall.