A cyclist rides against snow and wind as snow hits Hulun Buir city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Oct 16, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

BEIJING - A strong cold front was sweeping across northern and eastern parts of China on Tuesday, bringing a large drop in temperatures and rainfall, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

Some regions in China's northern area could expect to experience temperature drops of between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, the center said.

On Tuesday, snow and strong winds will sweep North China, including the northeastern parts of Inner Mongolia autonomous region and the Heilongjiang pas well as northwestern Gansu province.

Meanwhile, most areas in South China will have continuous rain.

The temperature in Beijing was as low as four degrees Celsius Tuesday morning with rainfall in the city. This contributed to traffic jams during the peak rush hour.

Snow blankets a residential community of Hulun Buir city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Oct 16, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]