Cold air wave in summer – a sign of increasingly extreme weather
VOV.VN - A senior meteorologist has said there has been an increasing number of extreme weather patterns such as unseasonal cold spells and record-breaking rainfall happening right in the middle of summer in recent times, raising public concern about a powerful impact of climate change.
According to Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, recent days have seen widespread thunderstorms across northern Vietnam, with especially heavy rain recorded in the Northeastern localities. In Tuyen Quang province for instance, over 300 mm of rain fell within just two days, causing floods and flash floods.
Meanwhile, in the north-central region, Ha Tinh province experienced abnormal rain patterns, with rainfall increasing even as other areas saw a decline. Ky Hoa commune of Ky Anh district alone received 172.8 mm of rain in just one hour - the highest hourly rainfall ever recorded in Vietnam.
It’s noteworthy that these abnormal weather patterns occurred in May, which is not typically the rainy season. This indicates a rise in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather patterns, analyses Khiem.
Heavy rain is no longer confined to isolated areas but is spreading across multiple regions nationwide, from lowlands to mountainous provinces. Areas like Ha Giang and Son La, which rarely saw flooding in the past, are now increasingly vulnerable to heavy downpours and floods, he further says.
Statistics also show just over a week ago, Ho Chi Minh City also experienced an intense rainstorm, with rainfall exceeding 127 mm in a single hour. In recent years, similar high-intensity rainfall events have been recorded in cities like Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Hanoi.
Citing research from international climate organisations, Khiem explains that the root cause of these increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns is climate change. A warming atmosphere alters the structure of weather systems and circulation patterns on multiple scales, leading to more unpredictable and intense interactions. For every 1°C increase in temperature, the atmosphere can hold significantly more moisture - a key factor that drives the surge in severe and irregular thunderstorms.
We are witnessing a disruption of traditional weather patterns. Weather is no longer just unusual, it is becoming more unpredictable than ever before,” emphasizes the expert.
Unusual cold and rain forecast for northern region in late May
VOV.VN - The northern region of Vietnam will experience an unexpected spell of cold air and light rain from May 28 to 30, an unusual weather pattern for the early summer period, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Centre.
