BEIJING - Heavy rainfall will continue hitting most of south and northeast China until Saturday, meteorological authorities forecast on Friday.

From Friday to Saturday, east areas of northeast China will see heavy snow or sleet, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in an online statement.

South areas of the Yangtze River and parts of south China will see heavy rainfall, with certain areas in Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong provinces receiving downpours.

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

The center also warned of gales at sea and urged ships to return to ports.

Affected by a cold snap, most of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, north China, as well as the areas of the Yellow River and Huaihe River will see high winds, the NMC said.

Meanwhile, sand and dust will blow in the basin south of Xinjiang and some areas of the Yellow River, the center added.