Cold winds, rain and snow are forecast for areas north of the Huaihe River over the next three days, the Chinese Central Meteorological Station predicted on Wednesday.

 

The station said temperatures in northern China and most of northeast China would plunge by eight to 12 degrees centigrade over the next two days as a cold front accompanied by strong northerly winds sweeps the region.

 

There will be snow and rain in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and parts of Heilongjiang Province, it predicted.

 

The station's weather forecaster advised people to wear heavy clothes and warned that cold windy weather can cause respiratory diseases. People with cardiovascular diseases should also take extra care.

 

Overnight temperatures in Beijing are expected to drop to 1 degree Celsius on Friday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2006)