Unseasonal heavy rain expected in Ho Chi Minh City this week

Forecasters said enhanced upper-level turbulence combined with moderate northeast winds over the East Vietnam Sea will trigger widespread showers across one-third of the southern region on Thursday and Friday.

Rainfall is expected to ease by Saturday, with only scattered showers, before hot weather returns in early March.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting added that southern provinces, along with Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong in south-central Vietnam, could see off-season thunderstorms with rainfall ranging from 10 to 20 millimeters per day, and localized downpours exceeding 50 millimeters.

Most rain will occur in the afternoon and evening.

Authorities warned of possible extreme weather during thunderstorms, including whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts.

Heavy localized rainfall could also trigger flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on slopes, and flooding in low-lying areas.