BEIJING - Blizzards and high winds are expected to hit most parts of the country's northern regions in the next three days, Chinese meteorological authorities warned on Friday evening.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a blue-coded alert for both a cold front and blizzards. The alert is the least serious level in China's four-color coded weather warning system after red, orange and yellow.

Temperatures will drop between four and eight degrees Celsius in most parts of north, central and east China. Some regions could experience temperature drops of more than 10 degrees Celsius, the NMC said.

Snow will fall on many parts of Inner Mongolia, central and northeast China, with parts of east Inner Mongolia, Hebei and northeastern provinces expected to see blizzards from Friday evening to Sunday.

The NMC also said the cold front will bring gales to the Bohai Sea, the Bohai Bay, the Yellow Sea, and the northern waters of the East China Sea. The NMC has issued a yellow-alert for strong winds in these regions.