The strong cold air mass is forecast to strike the northern border on February 7 before spreading across the northern and north-central regions, said the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

It will cause widespread severe cold and freezing weather, by sending temperatures dropping to 9-12°C in the lowlands, and 5-8°C in the highlands. In high-altitude mountainous areas, temperatures could even drop below 2°C.

Notably, meteorologists warned, snow and ice are likely to occur in high mountainous areas.

In Hanoi, the lowest temperatures are forecast to fall to 7-8°C, with the highest around 12-13°C.

Due to the influence of this cold air combined with strong winds in the upper atmosphere, light rain will occur in northern and north-central localities from February 6 evening to February 8 morning.

From February 7 to 9, localities from Ngha An to Khanh Hoa may experience scattered rain, locally heavy rain, and thunderstorms. Strong winds, lightning, and whirlwinds may accompany these thunderstorms.

This severe cold spell is expected to last until around February 10.

Cold air mass hits northern border, brings rain and cold temperatures

VOV.VN - A cold air mass has moved closer to Vietnam’s northern border and will begin affecting the northern region on February 2 evening, bringing rain and cold temperatures, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.