China's meteorological authority on Thursday forecast temperatures in most parts of north China to drop from Saturday as a cold front moves over the region.

Northern Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and the southern parts in northeast China could see temperatures drop by up to 12 degrees, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast.

High winds are expected to cause sand storms in some regions in Inner Mongolia and Gansu Province over the weekend, the NMC forecast.

Some areas in northwest China's Xinjiang would see heavy snow over the next three days.

Meanwhile, moderate rain is expected in the country's southern and southwestern regions.