Possibility of prolonged frost in the northern mountainous region

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, this winter the cold spells are likely to be stronger than the 2017-2018 winter, with frost likely to appear more frequently in December 2017 and January-February 2018.

Regarding the cold spell currently affecting the Northern provinces, the Department of Medium- and Long-Term Meteorological Forecasting (Central Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting) added: The cold air mass with the strongest intensity since the beginning of the season has penetrated deep into our country, affecting the entire Northern region. From November 19, the weather turned cold, from November 22, the temperature continued to decrease.

Weather forecasts indicate that from now until around November 25, cold air will continue to be added, while in the upper atmosphere systems, there will be a rainy weather pattern, so the cold will last for the next 4-5 days. In particular, November 24-25 will have the lowest temperature of the whole period (the lowest temperature at night and morning is about 13-15 degrees Celsius in the plains and midlands, in the mountains 11-13 degrees Celsius, in the high mountains it can drop below 5 degrees Celsius).

From November 23-25, the Northern region will have rain, starting from the northwestern provinces, then gradually spreading to the Viet Bac mountainous region and the northeastern provinces.

Mountainous areas and some places in the midlands and plains will experience severe cold during this period. High mountain areas will be at the freezing point, but the possibility of snowfall is not high. However, there is a possibility of frost in high mountain areas above 3,000m.

Commenting on this year's winter, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa - Deputy Head of the Department of Medium- and Long-Term Meteorological Forecasting - National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said: The average temperature forecast for the whole country in general and the North in particular from November 2017 to April 2018 is generally at approximately the average of many years (TBNN).

This year's cold spells will also be at the average level but will tend to be colder than last winter-spring (2016-2017). Frost will likely appear more in December this year and January and February next year and will usually occur in the northern mountainous provinces. The midland provinces and the Northern Delta will have less frost.

“Regarding snowfall, it is not observed every year, but according to statistical cycles, it appears once every 2-4 years and often appears in the Sin Ho area (Lai Chau), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Mau Son (Lang Son) - places with an altitude of over 1,500m above sea level” - Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa emphasized.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoa, unlike snowfall, ice and snow often appear during the winter months in high mountain areas such as Fansipan peak with an altitude of over 3,000m. The winter - spring 2017-2018 will be very cold in the midlands and deltas of the North, possibly concentrated in the period of January - February 2018. There is a high possibility that there will be severe cold spells lasting from 7-10 days.

According to LDO