Circular No. 08/2022/TT-BTNMT stipulates the types of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins and their issuance deadlines.

CIRCULAR
Regulations on types of weather bulletins and forecast and warning deadlines for meteorology and hydrology

Pursuant to the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology dated November 23, 2015;

On the basis of Decision No. 36/2017/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director General of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the Head of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular to regulate types of weather bulletins and forecast and warning deadlines for meteorology and hydrology.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

Article 1. This Circular provides detailed regulations on Clause 3, Article 22 of the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology regarding types of weather bulletins and forecast and warning deadlines for meteorology and hydrology.

Article 2. This Circular does not apply to activities related to forecasting and warning of meteorological and hydrological natural disasters. Forecasting and warning of meteorological and hydrological natural disasters shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 of Chapter II of Decision No. 18/2021/QĐ-TTg dated April 22, 2021 of the Government Chairman on forecasting, warning, transmitting information about natural disasters and levels of natural disaster risk.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to the national meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning system and organizations and individuals involved in meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning activities within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

Point 1. Hazardous weather phenomena are abnormal states and developments of weather that can cause damage to people and property, affecting the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

Point 2. Hazardous hydrological phenomena are abnormal states and developments of hydrological factors that can cause damage to people and property, affecting the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

Point 3. Hazardous marine phenomena are abnormal states and developments of marine factors that can cause damage to people and property, affecting the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities at sea.

Point 4. Large rivers are those with a drainage area of 10,000 km2 or more.

Chapter II
DETAILED REGULATIONS

Section 1
DEADLINES FOR METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL FORECASTS AND WARNINGS

Article 4. Deadlines for weather forecasts and warnings

Point 1. Very short term: up to 12 hours.

Point 2. Short term: from over 12 hours to up to 72 hours.

Point 3. Medium term: from over three days to up to ten days.

Article 5. Deadlines for climate forecasts

Point 1. Long term: from over ten days to up to one month.

Point 2. Seasonal term: from over one month to up to six months.

Point 3. Annual term: from over six months to up to twelve months.

Article 6. Deadlines for hydrological forecasts and warnings

Point 1. Very short term: up to 12 hours.

Point 2. Short term:

Subpoint a. For large rivers, except the Mekong River: from over 12 hours to up to 48 hours;

Subpoint b. For the Mekong River: from over 12 hours to up to five days;

Subpoint c. For other rivers: from over 12 hours to up to 24 hours.

Point 3. Medium term:

Subpoint a. For large rivers, except the Mekong River: from over 48 hours to up to ten days;

Subpoint b. For the Mekong River: from over five days to up to ten days;

Subpoint c. For other rivers: from over 24 hours to up to ten days.

Point 4. Long term: from over ten days to up to one month.

Point 5. Seasonal term: from over one month to up to six months.

Article 7. Deadlines for water resource forecasts

Point 1. Short term: up to seven days.

Point 2. Medium term: from over seven days to up to fifteen days.

Point 3. Long term: from over fifteen days to up to one month.

Point 4. Seasonal term: from over one month to up to six months.

Point 5. Annual term: from over six months to up to twelve months.

Article 8. Forecast and Warning Period for Marine Weather

Point 1. Very short term: up to 12 hours.

2. Short-term period: forecast and warning from over 12 hours to a maximum of 3 days.

Point 3. Medium term: from over three days to up to ten days.

Point 4. Long term: from over ten days to up to one month.

Point 5. Seasonal term: from over one month to up to six months.

Article 9. Forecast and Warning Periods for Other Meteorological and Hydrological Conditions

1. Forecast Period for Meteorological and Hydrological Conditions Serving Agriculture

a) Short-term period: forecast and warning up to a maximum of 3 days;

b) Medium-term period: forecast and warning from over 3 days to a maximum of 10 days;

c) Long-term period: forecast from over 10 days to a maximum of 1 month;

d) Seasonal period: forecast from over 1 month to a maximum of 6 months.

2. Forecast Period for Cold Air

Short-term period: forecast and warning up to a maximum of 3 days.

3. Forecast Period for Comprehensive Meteorological and Hydrological Conditions: carried out according to the forecast period of the component bulletin with the longest forecast period.

4. Forecast Period for Special Topics Based on User Requests: carried out based on orders or agreements between users and agencies, organizations, or individuals issuing forecast bulletins.

5. Forecast and Warning Period for Meteorological and Hydrological Conditions According to International Treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a Member: carried out according to international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

Section 2
TYPES OF FORECAST AND WARNING METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL BULLETINS

Article 10. Types of Weather Forecast and Warning Bulletins

1. Very Short-term Weather Forecast and Warning Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the intensity or value of meteorological elements in detail for each time interval from 30 minutes to 3 hours at a specific location or area and the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and economic and social activities.

2. Short-term Weather Forecast and Warning Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the trend of weather development during the forecast period, weather phenomena (clouds, sunshine, rain), and values of meteorological factors (rainfall amount, probability of rain, air temperature, air humidity, wind direction and speed) in detail for each time interval from 6 hours to 24 hours at a specific location or area on land and the possibility of dangerous weather phenomena occurring, the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and economic and social activities.

3. Medium-term Weather Forecast and Warning Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the trend of weather development and total rainfall amount during the forecast period, detailed values of air temperature and total rainfall for each day interval at a specific location or area and the possibility of dangerous weather phenomena occurring, the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and economic and social activities.

Article 11. Types of Climate Forecast Bulletins

1. Long-term Climate Forecast Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the trend of average air temperature and total rainfall compared to long-term averages during the forecast period, detailed values of average air temperature and total rainfall for each interval from 10 to 15 days at a specific location or area and the possibility of dangerous weather phenomena occurring, the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and economic and social activities.

2. Seasonal Climate Forecast Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the trend of average air temperature and total rainfall compared to long-term averages in detail for each interval from 1 to 3 months at a specific location or area and the possibility of dangerous weather phenomena occurring, the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and economic and social activities.

3. Annual Climate Forecast Bulletin: minimum content includes information about the trend of average air temperature and total rainfall in detail for each interval from 3 to 6 months and extreme climate values, global, regional, and national extreme climate phenomena.

Article 12. Types of hydrological forecast and warning bulletins

1. Hydrological forecast and warning bulletin for very short-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the level or value of water depth, flow rate (if available), detailed for each time interval from 30 minutes to 03 hours at a specific location or river basin, and the potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

2. Hydrological forecast and warning bulletin for short-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of hydrological changes during the forecast period, the values of water depth and flow rate (if available), detailed for each time interval from 06 hours to 24 hours at the forecast location within a specific river basin (for forecast locations within tidal-influenced river sections, the highest and lowest values during the forecast period shall be reported), and the potential occurrence of dangerous hydrological phenomena, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

3. Hydrological forecast and warning bulletin for medium-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend and typical average, maximum, and minimum values of water depth and flow rate (if available), detailed for each time interval from 02 days to 05 days for the forecast location or specific river basin, and the potential occurrence of dangerous hydrological phenomena, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

4. Hydrological forecast and warning bulletin for long-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of water depth and flow rate (if available) compared to the multi-year average during the forecast period, the typical average, maximum, and minimum values of water depth and flow rate (if available), detailed for each time interval from 10 days to 15 days for the forecast location or specific river basin, and the potential occurrence of dangerous hydrological phenomena, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

5. Hydrological forecast and warning bulletin for seasonal periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of water depth and flow rate (if available) compared to the multi-year average, detailed for each time interval from 01 month to 03 months at the forecast location or specific river basin, and the potential occurrence of dangerous hydrological phenomena, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

Article 13. Types of water resource forecast bulletins

1. Water resource forecast bulletin for short-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of total rainfall, surface water volume, water shortage during the forecast period, the total rainfall and surface water volume values detailed for each time interval from 01 day to 03 days, and related natural disasters due to water shortages.

2. Water resource forecast bulletin for medium-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of total rainfall, surface water volume, water shortage during the forecast period, the total rainfall and surface water volume values detailed for each time interval from 07 days to 15 days, and related natural disasters due to water shortages.

3. Water resource forecast bulletin for long-term periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of total rainfall, surface water volume, water shortage during the forecast period, the total rainfall and surface water volume values detailed for each time interval from 15 days to 01 month, and related natural disasters due to water shortages.

4. Water resource forecast bulletin for seasonal periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of total rainfall, surface water volume, water shortage during the forecast period, the total rainfall and surface water volume values compared to the multi-year average, detailed for each time interval from 01 month to 03 months, and related natural disasters due to water shortages.

5. Water resource forecast bulletin for annual periods: The minimum content includes information on the trend of total rainfall, surface water volume, water shortage, the total rainfall and surface water volume values compared to the multi-year average during the forecast period, and related natural disasters due to water shortages.

Article 14. Types of marine weather forecast and warning bulletins

1. Marine weather forecast and warning bulletins with very short lead time: minimum contents include information on the degree or value of detailed marine elements at a specific location or area for each time interval from 30 minutes to three hours, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

2. Marine weather forecast and warning bulletins with short lead time: minimum contents include information on the trend of marine weather changes within the forecast period, sea weather phenomena (rain), values of characteristic factors (visibility, wind direction and speed, sea surface state, high water level and timing of occurrence, low tide level, wave height and direction, velocity and direction of surface ocean currents) for each time interval from twelve to twenty-four hours at the forecast sea area or specific coastal areas, and the possibility of other dangerous marine weather phenomena, their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

3. Marine weather forecast and warning bulletins with medium lead time: minimum contents include information on the trend of tidal changes within the forecast period, values and timing of occurrence of high water levels, low tide levels, wave heights for each time interval from one to three days at a specific sea area, and the possibility of other dangerous marine weather phenomena, their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

4. Marine weather forecast and warning bulletins with long lead time: minimum contents include information on the trend of tidal changes within the forecast period, values and timing of occurrence of high water levels, low tide levels, wave heights for each time interval from ten to fifteen days at a specific sea area, and the possibility of other dangerous marine weather phenomena, their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

5. Marine weather forecast and warning bulletins with seasonal lead time: minimum contents include information on the trend of tidal changes for each time interval from one to three months at a specific sea area, and the possibility of other dangerous marine weather phenomena, their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

Article 15. Other types of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins

1. Weather and hydrological forecast bulletins for agriculture

a) Weather and hydrological forecast bulletins for agriculture with short lead time: minimum contents include information on the values of factors (air temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, rainfall, hydrological regime) for each day at a specific location or area, and their potential impact on the growth and development process or agricultural technical measures for major agricultural objects.

b) Weather and hydrological forecast bulletins for agriculture with medium lead time: minimum contents include information on the values of factors (air temperature, air humidity, soil moisture, rainfall, hydrological regime) for each time interval from two to five days at a specific location or area, and their potential impact on the growth and development process or agricultural technical measures for major agricultural objects.

c) Weather and hydrological forecast bulletins for agriculture with long lead time: minimum contents include information on the values of factors (air temperature, soil moisture, total rainfall, hydrological regime) for each time interval from ten to fifteen days at a specific location or area, and their potential impact on the growth and development process or agricultural technical measures for major agricultural objects.

d) Weather and hydrological forecast bulletins for agriculture with seasonal lead time: minimum contents include information on the values of factors (air temperature, total rainfall, hydrological regime) for each time interval from one to three months at a specific location or area, and their potential impact on the growth and development process or agricultural technical measures for major agricultural objects.

2. Cold air forecast and warning bulletins with short lead time: minimum contents include information on the timing of impact, lowest temperature, strong winds, gusts at a specific inland area, and strong winds, gusts, large waves at a specific sea area (if applicable) during the forecast period, the possibility of severe cold, ice, snow, thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, hail, heavy rain accompanying, and their potential impact on the environment, living conditions, infrastructure, and socio-economic activities.

3. Comprehensive weather and hydrological forecast bulletins: forecast and warning contents combine part or all of the contents of various types of weather, climate, hydrological, water source, and marine weather forecast and warning bulletins specified in Articles 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of this Circular.

Article 16. Types of specialized weather and hydrological forecast bulletins based on user requirements

1. Specialized weather and hydrological forecast bulletins based on the requirements of state agencies with authority, agencies implementing emergency response activities for accidents, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations, ensuring national defense and security, serving the operation of inter-reservoir operation procedures, and organizing major national holidays: the forecast and warning content must be comprehensive and meet usage requirements.

2. Specialized weather and hydrological forecast bulletins based on user requirements other than those specified in Clause 1 of this Article: the forecast and warning content shall be carried out based on orders or agreements between users and agencies, organizations, or individuals issuing forecast and warning bulletins in accordance with the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology and related laws.

Article 17. Types of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins according to international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party

The content of weather and hydrological forecasts and warnings shall be implemented in accordance with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

Section 3
CONTENT, FREQUENCY OF ISSUANCE AND FORMS OF WEATHER AND HYDROLOGICAL FORECAST AND WARNING BULLETINS
WARNING ON METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL PHENOMENA

Article 18. Content of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins

1. Weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins include the following contents:

a) The title of the weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletin is recorded in the following order: type of bulletin, location or area where the forecast and warning is conducted;

b) Summary information about the current situation;

c) Forecast and warning content: carried out in accordance with Articles 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of this Circular corresponding to each type of bulletin and forecast period;

d) Time of issuance of the bulletin and time of issuance of the next bulletin;

e) Name and signature of the person responsible for issuing the bulletin or verification of the issuing agency.

2. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting shall provide detailed content of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article for the national weather and hydrological forecasting and warning system.

3. Organizations and individuals not belonging to the national weather and hydrological forecasting and warning system shall provide detailed content of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article to suit practical needs.

Article 19. Frequency of issuance of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins

1. Weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins shall be issued at the following frequencies:

a) For very short-term periods: depending on the nature and characteristics of weather phenomena, the issuing agency decides accordingly for each specific case;

b) For remaining periods: issued on the first day of the forecast period and ensuring at least once within the maximum duration of the forecast period.

2. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting shall provide detailed frequency of issuance of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins as stipulated in Point b, Clause 1 of this Article for the national weather and hydrological forecasting and warning system.

3. Organizations and individuals not belonging to the national weather and hydrological forecasting and warning system shall provide detailed frequency of issuance of weather and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins as stipulated in Point b, Clause 1 of this Article to suit practical needs.

Article 20. Forms of weather forecast and warning bulletins

1. Weather forecast and warning bulletins shall be issued in one of the following forms:

a) Text form: The content of forecasts and warnings in the types of bulletins specified in Section 2, Chapter II of this Circular shall be expressed in writing, complete in content and format, and created from the original signed directly by the authorized person.

b) Digital form: The content of forecasts and warnings in the types of bulletins specified in Section 2, Chapter II of this Circular shall be expressed in digital information including: text, numerical tables, maps, charts, symbols, images, sound, and other data formats stored and transmitted on network environments.

2. The National Hydro-Meteorological Service shall specify in detail the forms of weather forecast and warning bulletins for the national forecasting and warning system.

3. Organizations and individuals not belonging to the national forecasting and warning system shall specify in detail the forms of weather forecast and warning bulletins to suit practical requirements.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 21. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from August 19, 2022.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 06/2016/TT-BTNMT dated May 16, 2016 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the types of bulletins and forecast and warning deadlines for hydro-meteorological conditions.

3. Abolish Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular No. 40/2016/TT-BTNMT dated December 19, 2016 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding technical procedures for forecasting and warning hydro-meteorological conditions under normal circumstances.

4. In cases where the legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended or supplemented, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of the amended or supplemented documents.

Article 22. Responsibility for enforcement

1. The Minister, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, Heads of units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. The Director of the National Hydro-Meteorological Service is responsible for assisting the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in urging and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

3. During the process of implementing this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consideration and resolution./.