BEIJING - A cold front is forecast to sweep across China over the next three days, causing temperatures to drop by at least six degrees Celsius, the country's top meteorological authority said on Saturday.

With strong wind and snow, some parts of Inner Mongolia and northeast China will even see temperatures down by 12 degrees Celsius, the National Meteorological Center said in a statement on its website.

Snow and sleet will hit parts of Tibet Autonomous Region, Shandong,Henan and Jilin provinces, while Hubei, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces should brace for rain.

The statement advised the public to wrap up warm when going out as temperatures will likely fluctuate widely over the coming week. Residents in the northeastern regions, especially in Jilin Province, should pay heed to traffic warnings when it snows.