Unseasonal rain hits Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam

The Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center said the rain was caused by an equatorial low-pressure trough between four and six degrees north latitude combined with disturbances in upper-level easterly winds, leading to widespread cloud cover and thunderstorms.

Satellite and radar imagery showed developing convective cloud systems bringing showers, thunderstorms, and lightning to the central areas of Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding parts. 

Rainfall totals were forecast at 8-40 mm, with some locations exceeding 50 mm.

Forecasters warned of possible whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and wind gusts of force 5-7, equivalent to 8-17 meters per second. 

Heavy rain could cause localized flooding in low-lying areas.

The agency said southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, is expected to see widespread unseasonal showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, with rainfall of 10-30 mm over 24 hours and some areas receiving more than 80 mm, mainly in the afternoon and evening.

Rain forecast across much of the country

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said much of the country would experience rain and thunderstorms on Thursday.

Northern Vietnam and the north-central region were forecast to receive 10-30 mm of rain, with some areas exceeding 70 mm. 

The Central Highlands, southern Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Province, and eastern Lam Dong Province were also expected to see unseasonal showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall of 10-30 mm and isolated totals above 80 mm over 24 hours.

Authorities warned that heavy downpours could trigger flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes, and localized flooding in low-lying areas.

Looking ahead, the southern weather agency said hot conditions are expected to emerge in the first week of March, intensify and peak in April, and ease in May, with heat levels similar to those recorded in 2025. 

Scattered unseasonal thunderstorms may continue in March and April, with the rainy season forecast to begin in southern Vietnam in early to mid-May.

In Hanoi, cloudy conditions with showers and isolated heavy rain were forecast overnight and in the morning, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius. 

In Ho Chi Minh City, temperatures were forecast between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius, with showers during the day.