China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow-level heat alert Tuesday morning, warning that the heatwave affecting many parts of China will continue.

Visitors from Hebei Province walk at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, July 5, 2010. Chinese meteorological authority said Monday hot weather continues to scorch many parts of the country. The highest temperature of Beijing reached 40.3 degrees Celsius on Monday.  [Xinhua]

Temperatures Tuesday will climb to 35 to 37 degrees Celsius in most areas south of the Yangtze River, including in the provinces of Hubei, Jiangxi and Guangdong, and in southern Hunan province, the weather forecast released by NMC at 6 a.m. Tuesday said.

Heavy rains will hit central Hunan, central Jiangxi, Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, southern Guizhou and northern Guangxi Tuesday, which will cool temperatures somewhat in those areas, the NMC said.

Areas in northern China, including Beijing, and Hebei and Shaanxi provinces and eastern China's Shandong province, will swelter under maximum temperatures ranging from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius Tuesday.

The temperature in Beijing hit a record 40.6 degrees Monday, the highest for this time of year since 1951, according to the NMC.

China has a four-color heat warning system: red, orange, yellow and blue. Red is the most serious level.

Under a yellow alert, people are advised to reduce outdoor activities in the afternoon and employers are asked to take measures to protect staff working outdoors from heatstroke.