Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Higher temperatures and more heat waves predicted as Vietnam enters summer season

According to Mr. Tran Van Sap, Deputy General Director of the National Centre of Meteorology and Hydrology (NCHMF), temperatures in the next coming months will be much higher than average and more intense, combined with a stronger humidity level.

In the last month, temperatures already reached record levels and will continue to be in the months June and July. There are three to four heat waves predicted and ten peak moments where temperatures can reach 10 to 41 degrees Celsius. The most affected areas are the Northern Central and Central regions.

These weather extremes are linked to the effects of El Nino, starting from October 2009 and weakening in June 2010. After weakening, El Nino is likely to change into the La Nina phenomenon: during a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3-5 degrees Celsius (see graph). Under the influence of La Nina, the frequency of storms may not increase, but the intensity of storms likely will.

This year, Vietnam will be affected by 6 to 7 tropical storms, equivalent in number to last year. However, the intensity of the storms will be higher; the storms will occur later in the year and will more likely target the south.

More detailed information on El Nino and El Nina can be found here.