Most of central and east China will experience rain and snow in the next three days, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) forecast on Friday.
 
From Dec. 29 to 31, light snow and sleet will spread across eastern parts of northwest China, most parts of north China, including Beijing and Tianjin, the Yellow and Huaihe river valleys and southern Liaoning.

Moderate to heavy snow will blanket southern parts of Shanxi and Shaanxi, northwestern parts of Hubei and western parts of Henan.

The snow would re-hydrate the soil in most parts of north China, helping alleviate drought conditions there.

Meanwhile, rain is expected in eastern parts of southwest China, most parts of Hubei, areas south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and western parts of south China.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2006)