BEIJING - Heavy rain will hit most of South China over the next three days, with sharp temperature drops seen in the country's northwestern and central regions, meteorological authorities forecast on Thursday.

From Thursday to Friday, south-central areas of regions south of the Yangtze River, as well as the northern and east-central parts of South China will see heavy rainfall, with certain areas receiving downpours, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in an online statement.

Some of the above regions will also experience temporary thunderstorms, gales and hailstones, the center forecast.

Affected by a cold snap, most of northwest China, parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, North China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will see temperature drops of at least six to eight degrees Celsius, accompanied by high winds, the NMC said.

Meanwhile, sand and dust will blow in the Tarim Basin and adjacent areas of Xinjiang as well as in parts of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi, the center added.