Tropical Storm Noul has entered the East Vietnam Sea and is forecast to become stronger as it travels toward north-central Vietnam in the next few days.

Noul, the fifth storm to have hit Vietnam in 2020, was located 200 kilometers northwest of the Philippines’ Palawan Island as of 4:00 am on Wednesday, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Average wind speed was at 60-75km per hour and gusts at up to 100km an hour.

The storm is expected to travel northwest in the next 24 hours and will be located 450 kilometers southeast of Vietnam's Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago as of 4:00 am on Thursday.

Wind speed will increase to between 75 and 90km per hour and gusts at up to 120km an hour.

In the next 24 to 48 hours, Storm Noul will continue heading northwest and pick up strength.

By 4:00 am on Friday, it will have arrived in the southwest maritime area of Hoang Sa, unleashing winds at 90-100km per hour and gusts reaching 135km an hour.

The storm will continue on its southwest journey in the next 48 to 72 hours and make landfall between north-central Quang Binh and central Da Nang City, with winds at 90-120km per hour.

Extreme rough seas will occur in the central part of the East Vietnam Sea.

All ships in the affected area are advised to take shelter during this period.

Due to the influence of the storm, heavy downpours measuring at 200-300 millimeters will batter localities from north-central Ha Tinh Province to central Quang Ngai Province on September 17 and 18.

From September 18 to 20, rainfall at 100-150 millimeters is expected to dampen localities in the Red River Delta, as well as north-central Thanh Hoa and Nghe An Provinces.

It is forecast to rain in most regions of the country on Wednesday, the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting added.

In Hanoi, it will remain sunny during the day, while rain accompanied by occasional thunderstorms will occur in the evening. Average temperatures in the capital will range from 24 to 35 degrees Celsius.

In southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, showers accompanied by occasional thunderstorms and gusts are likely to occur in the late afternoon and evening.

Temperatures in the region will range from 23 to 34 degrees Celsius.

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