Severe heat comes early and lasts long in Ho Chi Minh City

TPO - The Meteorological Agency forecasts that the hot and dry period in Ho Chi Minh City will continue for the remaining days of February, March and the first half of April.

In recent days, Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region have had localized heat, with some places experiencing severe heat with temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius.

Commenting on the weather situation in Ho Chi Minh City in the first months of the year, the Southern Hydrometeorological Station said that in January, the temperature was quite high, with heat waves of 35 degrees Celsius occurring locally in the city center. The lowest temperature was not too low, with only a few days being slightly chilly in the early morning.

In the first half of February, there was a widespread heat wave with the highest temperature in the city center area above 36 degrees Celsius.

In addition, in January, in Ho Chi Minh City, there was almost no rain, only a few days of light rain in some places. The total monthly rainfall was lower than the average of many years (TBNN). The highest rainfall was 9.0 mm in Hoc Mon on January 8. In the first half of February 2024, there was no rain anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City.

Severe heat comes early and lasts long in Ho Chi Minh City photo 1

After the Lunar New Year holiday, Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region continue to be hot.

The Southern Hydrometeorological Station said that according to forecasts from Climate Centers around the world , El Nino status is likely to transition to a neutral phase between April and June 2024 with a probability of 79%, then the possibility of transitioning to La Nina between June and August is 55%.

“The synthesis of model forecasts from world climate centers shows that rainfall in March-April will be lower than the average, and from May to August will be approximately the average. In addition, temperatures in March-June 2024 will be higher than the average,” said the Southern Hydrometeorological Station.

Prolonged intense heat

The Southern Hydrometeorological Station said that the average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City and the South in 3 months (from March to May 2024) will be higher than the average. In particular, the hot season in 2024 is likely to come early and the level of heat is not less severe than in 2023 with the absolute highest temperature in the hot season in the central area of the city can reach about 38-39 degrees Celsius.

In March 2024, the average temperature is higher than the average. There are many widespread heat waves with the possibility of severe heat with the highest temperature of 37 degrees Celsius appearing in a few days. The number of hot days is common from 10-15 days in the central area of the city.

Severe heat comes early and lasts long in Ho Chi Minh City photo 2

Map of temperature and rainfall forecast for 3 months (from March to May 2024) in Ho Chi Minh City. Source: Southern Hydrometeorological Station

By April, the average temperature continues to be higher than the average. April is also the peak of the hot season in the South, so the heat will be very intense. There will be many widespread heat waves with the highest temperature of 35-38 degrees Celsius and above 38 degrees Celsius; The number of days with widespread heat is from 15-20 days in the central area of the city.

In May there are still some widespread heat waves with highest temperatures of 35-37 degrees Celsius.

“The period of little rain will continue for the remaining days of February; March and the first half of April, leading to the possibility of a shortage of fresh water for life and crops. Beware of thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail, and gusts of wind with strong intensity from the end of March 2024 onwards” - The Southern Hydrometeorological Station issued a warning.

Rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City area

Also according to the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, from March to May is the period of transition from dry season to rainy season in the Southern region. The total rainfall during this period is generally approximately the average. In particular, in March, the total rainfall is lower than the average.

In Ho Chi Minh City, there is very little unseasonal rain in the first half of March. In the second half of the month, there is a possibility of some places having unseasonal showers and thunderstorms due to local heat convection, but the rainfall is mostly not large.

April 2024: Total rainfall is lower than the average. There is a possibility of showers and thunderstorms with quite large amounts but only in a few places. The rest are mostly showers and thunderstorms with small amounts. Seasonal rains are likely to occur in the last 5-10 days of the month. Beware of tornadoes, lightning, strong gusts of wind and hail during thunderstorms.

By May, the rainy season this year begins approximately on average and is around the first half of May. Be wary of the possibility of thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind during thunderstorms.