BEIJING - Heavy rain is expected to hit south China in the coming days, while mild snow will fall in northern regions, meteorological authorities predicted on Sunday.

The National Meteorological Center predicted that areas south of the Yangtze and Huai rivers will see strong rainfall in the next three days, with some regions expected to be hit by downpours or even thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Tibet autonomous region, Hebei province and most of northeast China will receive light snow and sleet, while some areas in Liaoning and Jilin provinces will see heavy snowfall, the center said.

It also forecast sandstorms and gales in Gansu province, western Inner Mongolia and southern parts of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from Sunday to Tuesday.