BEIJING - A cold front will sweep across most parts of China starting Tuesday, while rain continues in the south, the national observatory said Monday.

The cold front will come from the northwest and chill northern parts of China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, northwestern and southern regions as well as Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, causing temperature drops ranging from 4 to 10 degrees from Feb 20 to Feb 22, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

The cold wave will bring the temperature down by over 10 degrees in some places, it said.

From Monday till the weekend, rain will continue in areas along the Yangtze and Han rivers, regions between the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, and regions south of the Yangtze River, the NMC said.

On Monday, smog blanketed parts of Hebei, Henan, and Shanxi provinces.

The cold front is expected to disperse pollution from Feb 20, the NMC predicted.

It warned the public in affected regions to take precautions for icy weather they enjoy various Spring Festival celebrations.