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The general features of the climate of
Vietnam also apply to the two adjoining countries, Laos and
Cambodia; all three countries are often grouped together under
the name Indo-China. Over most of Indo-China there is a single
rainy season at the time of the south monsoon between May and
September.
During the rest of the year rainfall is
infrequent and light. Annual rainfall is almost everywhere
above 1,000 mm/40 in, and
rises to between 2,000 mm/80
in and 2,500 mm/100 in on the
hills, particularly those facing the sea.
On the coast and in those parts of the
central highlands that face northeast, the season of maximum
rainfall is between September and January.
This area often receives heavy rain from typhoons, or severe
tropical storms, which develop in the western Pacific at this
time of year. This is also a time of much cloud and frequent
drizzle.
In the north of Vietnam there are more
cloudy days with occasional light rain during the period of
the northeast monsoon. The south of the country is more likely
to be dry and sunny at this time.
In the southern and central parts of
Indo-China, temperatures remain high around the year, but in
the north there is a definite cooler season as the north
monsoon brings colder air from central China from time to
time.
Frost and occasional snow only occur on the
highest mountains in the north for a few days a year. In the
south of Vietnam, and in Cambodia and Laos, the lowlands are
sheltered from any such outbreaks of colder northerly air and
the dry season is warm to hot with much sunshine.
The weather of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia
is rather sultry and oppressive during the rainy season and
the humidity is high at this time. On the coast and in the
hills the frequent cloud and high humidity combine with lack
of sunshine to make this time of the year rather unpleasant in
spite of the reduction of temperatures with height.
The
Northern Climate: The areas from Hue north experience
a two-season a year: the winter and the summer. August through
November is the rainy season in the north. Winter is usually
from November through April and is cool during the day and
crisp, and sometimes quite chilly, during the evenings.
February and March are noticeable for their persistent
drizzling rain while hot summers dominate months May through
October.
The
Central Climate: The Central Coastal Littoral does
not receive the rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon rains
which are stopped by the Central Highlands which are affected
by these seasonal rains. Most of the rainfall received along
the Central Coastal Littoral is during the Northeast Monsoon,
from October and March, but especially in the months of
October-December; overland travel during October-December can
be interrupted by flooding.
The
Southern Climate: The sub-equatorial climate of the
south has two-seasons: the wet and dry seasons. The wet season
lasts from May to November with June and August being the
wettest months which bring heavy, albeit short lasting,
downpours usually in the mid-afternoons. The dry season begins
in November and ends in April with late February to May being
hot and humid. The average temperatures in the south are
relatively constant year-around: 25-35 Celsius (76-95
Fahrenheit).
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