Vietnam braces for hotter May, delayed southern rainy season

The weather agency added that storms or tropical depressions are unlikely to form over the East Vietnam Sea during the month.

Heat is forecast to intensify across most parts of the country, with the number of hot days exceeding long-term averages, particularly in northern Vietnam and central provinces, cities from Thanh Hoa to Hue.

Average temperatures may be 0.5-1 degrees Celsius higher than previous years, with some areas exceeding that.

Despite the rising temperatures, several rounds of widespread showers and thunderstorms are still expected, with rainfall concentrated mainly in the northern region.

However, total rainfall nationwide is projected to be 15-30 percent lower than average, except in northeastern regions and the south, where levels may remain close to normal.

The southwest monsoon is likely to begin affecting southern Vietnam in the latter half of May, bringing increased showers and thunderstorms to the Central Highlands and southern regions.

As a result, the rainy season in these areas is expected to start later than usual.

Typically, the rainy season in the Central Highlands begins from late April to early May, while southern Vietnam enters its wet season in the first half of May.

The weather agency also warned that the ongoing seasonal transition could trigger hazardous weather events nationwide, including thunderstorms, whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusty winds.

These conditions are expected to be more frequent in northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and the south.