Temperature in the northern mountainous region will drop to 7-9 degrees Celsius on Sunday. It might even fall to 0 degree, causing ice and snow in places including Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province, Mau Son in Lang Son, Sin Ho in Lai Chau and Moc Chau in Son La.
According to the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center, the northerly cold front on Saturday began covering some areas in the north. This eventually spread to the entire region, decreasing the common temperature to 12-14 degree Celsius.
After blanketing the north, the cold weather will move to the central area causing medium to heavy rains and strong winds at sea.
The Gulf of Tonkin and the waters off the central coast are set to see strong northeasterly winds at level 7 (50-61 kilometer an hour).
Northern and central parts of the East Sea, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, will see gusts up to level 10 (89-102 kilometers an hour). The sea will be very rough and there is a chance of tornadoes.
After crossing the Hai Van mountain pass, the cold front will approach the southern region. In Ho Chi Minh City and southeastern provinces, temperatures will decrease to 18-20 degrees, with the chance of thick fog.
Yesterday afternoon, the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention met to discuss measures to cope with the cold front.
The committee ordered local authorities from Quang Ninh to Ninh Thuan provinces, to assist any boat that might get trouble, because of the strong northeasterly winds.
In related news, tourists have flocked to the northern mountainous region to see the arrival of snow.
Tang Van Toan, director of the Vietravel Company said the number of visitors coming to Sa Pa for Christmas has increased by over 30 percent over the same period last year.
