The arrival of a strengthening cold air mass will bring chilly temperatures to Ho Chi Minh City during the Lunar New Year period.

On January 28-29 (the 29th day of the lunar month and the first day of Tet), nighttime and early morning temperatures in the city are expected to drop to 20°C, with some areas in the eastern region dipping below that.

This morning, January 26 (27th day of the lunar month), the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting announced that cold air has already affected most areas in northern Vietnam and parts of the north-central region. Strong northeasterly winds with gusts reaching levels 8 and 9 have been observed in the Gulf of Tonkin.

According to the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, the cold continental high-pressure system will intensify today and tomorrow, January 27-28. Additionally, a subtropical high-pressure ridge over south-central and southern Vietnam is exhibiting strong activity.

Over the next 10 days, cold air is forecast to continue intensifying in the southern region before stabilizing and gradually weakening. However, it is expected to strengthen again around February 2-3. Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will prevail over the southeastern coastal areas during this period.

Risk of flooding due to high tides during Tet

The cold air mass will lead to cooler weather on January 28-29, with Ho Chi Minh City experiencing a nighttime low of 20-21°C. Certain areas in the eastern region may see temperatures dip below 20°C. Additionally, foggy conditions are expected on some days leading up to the Tet holiday.

However, during the Lunar New Year, low-lying and riverside areas in Ho Chi Minh City may face flooding due to high tides.

Water levels at downstream stations along the Saigon-Dong Nai river system are forecast to rise rapidly in the coming days, coinciding with strong northeasterly winds reaching levels 5-6 and occasionally gusting to levels 7-8. Peak tidal levels are anticipated to approach alarm level 1 around January 29 (the first day of Tet).

The meteorological center has warned that high water levels could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, riversides, and certain streets in the city. Streets likely to experience flooding include Huynh Tan Phat and Tran Xuan Soan (District 7), Le Van Luong, Dao Su Tich, and Pham Huu Lau (Nha Be District), as well as National Highway 50 (Binh Chanh District).

Flooding caused by high tides could disrupt traffic and have implications for the city's socioeconomic activities during the holiday season.

Bao Anh