Heavy Rain and Strong Thunderstorms Forecast for Central Highlands and Southern Vietnam

Widespread rain and thunderstorms expected in the South and parts of the Central Highlands

Weather conditions on Feb. 27 are set to remain unsettled across several regions of Vietnam, with the national meteorological and hydrological forecasting agency warning of heavy rain, showers, and strong thunderstorms in the South, the southern part of the Central Highlands, and specific provinces including Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong.

According to the latest outlook for today and tonight (Feb. 27), many areas are likely to see intermittent showers and scattered thunderstorms. While much of the rainfall is expected to be moderate, the forecast also highlights the possibility of locally heavy downpours, which can quickly change conditions on the ground—particularly in low-lying locations and near small rivers and streams.

Rain observed overnight: some stations recorded more than 50 mm

During the night of Feb. 26 and into the early hours of Feb. 27, the South, the southern Central Highlands, Khanh Hoa, and the eastern part of Lam Dong province experienced scattered showers and thunderstorms. In some places, rainfall intensified into heavier bursts.

Measured rainfall from 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 26 to 3:00 a.m. on Feb. 27 exceeded 50 mm at several monitoring stations. Examples include:

• Cai Cung station (Ca Mau): 63 mm
• Hung Phu station (Ca Mau): 58 mm
• Rach Gia station (An Giang): 53 mm

These totals, recorded over a relatively short time window, illustrate how quickly thunderstorms can deliver significant rainfall. Even when rain is not continuous, short-lived intense cells can produce localized impacts.

Forecast for Feb. 27: localized heavy rain possible, with totals above 80 mm in some places

For the day and night of Feb. 27, the forecast calls for continued showers and scattered thunderstorms across the Central Highlands, the South, Khanh Hoa, and eastern Lam Dong. Expected rainfall totals in many areas are projected to range from 10 to 30 mm. However, the outlook also notes that some locations may experience heavy rain exceeding 80 mm.

This kind of distribution—moderate totals in many places but much higher totals in a few—often reflects the nature of convective thunderstorms, where rainfall can vary sharply from one district to the next. Residents and travelers should be prepared for sudden changes in visibility and road conditions, especially during peak downpours.

Severe-weather hazards: lightning, strong gusts, and possible hail

Alongside the rainfall, the national forecasting agency emphasizes that thunderstorms may bring hazardous accompanying phenomena. During storms, people are advised to remain alert for:

• Squalls and strong gusty winds
• Lightning
• Possible hail
• Whirlwinds (tornado-like vortices) in localized areas

These risks are important even when rainfall totals are not extreme, because lightning and sudden gusts can pose immediate danger outdoors and can disrupt travel. Hail, while not necessarily widespread, is included as a possibility during strong thunderstorm development.

Risk of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in vulnerable areas

The forecast also includes a caution that localized heavy rain may trigger secondary impacts. In areas prone to rapid runoff—such as near small rivers and streams—intense rainfall can raise water levels quickly and create a risk of flash flooding.

In hilly and mountainous terrain, particularly on steep slopes, saturated ground conditions can increase the likelihood of landslides. Meanwhile, in low-lying and poorly drained zones, heavy bursts of rain can lead to temporary waterlogging and urban or rural flooding.

These impacts are most likely where heavy rain is concentrated, rather than across entire provinces uniformly. That makes monitoring local conditions especially important, as neighboring areas may see very different outcomes during the same weather pattern.

City outlook: Hanoi to see clouds and some light rain, turning sunnier later

In Hanoi, today’s weather is expected to be comparatively calmer than in the southern regions. The forecast indicates mostly cloudy skies with light rain in a few places. Early in the morning, some areas may also see light fog.

Later in the day, cloud cover is expected to decrease, allowing sunnier conditions during the afternoon.

• Lowest temperature: 20–22°C
• Highest temperature: 26–28°C

With the combination of early fog and intermittent light rain, morning travel may require extra caution due to potentially reduced visibility in some locations. Conditions should improve as clouds thin and sunshine becomes more common later in the day.

Ho Chi Minh City forecast: showers and scattered thunderstorms, with a chance of heavy rain

Ho Chi Minh City is expected to experience a more active weather day. The forecast calls for cloudy skies with showers and scattered thunderstorms, and notes that some places could see heavy rain.

As with the broader regional warning, thunderstorms in the city may bring hazardous conditions such as lightning, hail, and strong gusts.

• Lowest temperature: 23–25°C
• Highest temperature: 27–29°C

Because thunderstorms can develop quickly, short periods of intense rain may cause temporary ponding on roads and reduced visibility. People commuting or traveling within the city may want to plan for weather-related delays during heavier bursts.

Southern Vietnam overall: continued thunderstorms, with locally heavy rainfall

Across the wider southern region, the outlook remains consistent: mostly cloudy conditions with showers and scattered thunderstorms, and a possibility of heavy rain in some places. The same thunderstorm hazards are highlighted—whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusty winds.

• Lowest temperature: 23–26°C
• Highest temperature: 27–30°C

Given the overnight rainfall already recorded in parts of the South, additional downpours today could exacerbate waterlogging in low-lying areas. Localized heavy rain can also place pressure on drainage systems, particularly where rainfall falls in a short time.

Northern Vietnam: cloudy with occasional light rain, then brighter in the afternoon

In northern Vietnam, the forecast points to a day of mostly cloudy skies with light rain in a few areas. As the day progresses, clouds are expected to thin, with sunnier conditions developing in the afternoon.

• Lowest temperature: 20–23°C, with some places below 19°C
• Highest temperature: 26–29°C, with some places above 30°C

This temperature range suggests a relatively mild day overall, with cooler pockets in some locations early on and warmer conditions possible later, particularly where sunshine becomes more dominant.

What the forecast means in practical terms

Today’s weather pattern highlights a clear contrast between regions. Northern areas, including Hanoi, are expected to see cloudier skies with limited rainfall and improving conditions later in the day. Meanwhile, the South and parts of the Central Highlands face a more volatile mix of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for localized heavy rain.

Because the forecast specifically emphasizes severe thunderstorm hazards, the main concern is not only how much rain falls, but also how storms behave when they develop. Lightning and strong gusts can occur even in storms that do not produce the highest rainfall totals. At the same time, where rainfall concentrates—such as the locations that could exceed 80 mm—secondary impacts like flash flooding, landslides on slopes, and waterlogging in low areas become more likely.

Areas mentioned in the warning

The national forecast focuses on the following areas for heavy rain and strong thunderstorms on Feb. 27:

• Southern Vietnam (Nam Bo)
• Central Highlands (especially the southern part)
• Khanh Hoa province
• Lam Dong province (especially the eastern area)

Rainfall observations overnight also included notable totals at stations in Ca Mau and An Giang, indicating that thunderstorms have already been active and capable of producing significant rain in parts of the South.

Key numbers at a glance

• Observed rainfall (7:00 p.m. Feb. 26 to 3:00 a.m. Feb. 27): some stations above 50 mm (e.g., 63 mm, 58 mm, 53 mm)
• Forecast rainfall (day and night Feb. 27 in affected regions): 10–30 mm, with some places above 80 mm
• Hanoi temperatures: 20–22°C (low), 26–28°C (high)
• Ho Chi Minh City temperatures: 23–25°C (low), 27–29°C (high)
• Southern Vietnam temperatures: 23–26°C (low), 27–30°C (high)
• Northern Vietnam temperatures: 20–23°C (low, some below 19°C), 26–29°C (high, some above 30°C)

Bottom line

Feb. 27 is expected to bring a continuation of active weather in southern Vietnam and parts of the Central Highlands, including Khanh Hoa and eastern Lam Dong. With showers and scattered thunderstorms forecast—along with the potential for locally heavy rain—residents should stay attentive to rapidly changing conditions. The warning also underscores the importance of thunderstorm safety due to the risk of lightning, hail, and strong gusts, as well as the potential for flash floods, landslides on slopes, and waterlogging in low-lying areas.