A strong cold front is moving into northern China, bringing low temperatures, strong winds and scattered snowfall over the next three days, the central meteorological observatory forecast yesterday.

Most regions in northern China can expect a mixture of precipitation and a temperature drop of 4-8 ^oC, while temperatures in some will experience a sharp plunge of 10-14 ^oC.

The observatory also forecast dust storms in parts of Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

Meanwhile, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit the southern parts of the country, including Sichuan, Guangdong and Guangxi, with some areas pelted by hailstones or thunderstorms.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2008)