The drastic and fast changing differences in temperatures and weather conditions have prompted a warning for authorities to be prepared for possible spring disasters.

A spokesman for the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said duststorms, thunderstorms, gales, and even snowstorms were possible around the country and urged relevant bodies to be on their guard.

Yesterday, senior weathermen in Beijing said temperatures in northern China are likely to cool in the next three to four days due to the arrival of cold air from the North.

Over the past few days, rising temperatures brought breezes throughout northern China. Beijing had a high of 27 C yesterday while Shijiazhuang in neighbouring Hebei Province registered a record high of 32.8 C for the time of the year. Today, Beijing will repeat its 27 C, and Tianjin will be at 29 C.

But such days will be over soon as the weather is set to change again.

"Over the next 10 days temperatures will rise and fall with the arrival and cessation of cold winds from the north," Wang Bangzhong, deputy director of the forecasting services and disaster mitigation department of CMA, said yesterday.

"This month, at least three drastic temperature changes can be seen with a massive convection of warm air directed upward and cold air coming down," Wang confirmed.

"Spring in the north is really short and capricious, people have to pay close attention to weather changes and make sure they have the right clothes with them," Wang said.

In China's central parts, especially areas south of the Yangtze River, more rainfall is expected in the days ahead with temperatures also likely to drop.

The spring drought, however, will remain the major problem for the rest of the country this month with above average temperatures and little rainfall predicted.

The mercury will stand at 1 C above normal for the time of the year in most of Northwest China's Qinghai Province on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau.

This spring, precipitation will be 20 per cent less than normal in areas across northern China, particularly, parts of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Wang urged people in southern China to increase water storage as the worst drought to plague Hainan and Guangdong provinces since last autumn may not be alleviated in the foreseeable future.

(China Daily April 5, 2005)