New storm likely to enter East Vietnam Sea this weekend, may impact central region

Deputy director of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration Hoang Duc Cuong said the system is expected to pass over central Philippines before moving into the East Vietnam Sea this weekend.

It may bring moderate to heavy rain to provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Khanh Hoa, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides.

He also warned that another tropical depression could develop in the East Vietnam Sea after this system.

Cuong added that December may see one to two additional episodes of widespread rain in central and south-central Vietnam, with rainfall from southern Quang Tri to the northern part of the south-central region likely above the long-term average.

Cold air outbreaks are expected to intensify in December, potentially causing severe cold in northern mountainous areas, with continued cold spells projected in January and February 2026.

Heatwaves are forecast to return to southern and northwestern areas from March and April 2026.

Looking back on 2025, Cuong said the year saw extraordinary tropical cyclone activity worldwide.

In the Atlantic, ten major storms reached Category 3 or higher, surpassing previous records, while super typhoon Fung Wong in the northwest Pacific intensified from Category 1 to 5 in just 24 hours in September.

Extreme floods and landslides claimed hundreds to thousands of lives in Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United States.

Vietnam also experienced unusually severe weather.

The Bach Ma station in Hue recorded 1,739mm of rainfall in 24 hours in October, one of the highest 24-hour totals on record globally.

So far in 2025, 21 tropical storms and depressions, including 15 storms and six depressions, have hit the East Vietnam Sea, marking the highest number since records began in 1961.