BEIJING - Rain and snow will hit most parts of South China as a new wave of cold weather sweeps across the country's central and eastern provinces, the national observatory forecast on Tuesday.

From Tuesday to Thursday, the temperature will drop by four to six degrees Celsius in many parts of Central and East China, and possibly eight to ten degrees Celsius in some places, the National Meteorological Center said.

The cold front will also bring moderate and strong winds to areas north of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The observatory said from Wednesday evening, most parts of South China will witness rainy or snowy weather, and in parts of Guizhou province, there will be freezing rain.