China's meteorological authority said Sunday that prolonged rain will hit central and eastern China over the next three days.

Northern China and regions south of the Huaihe River will receive moderate to heavy rain from April 23 to 25, while torrential rain of up to 110 mm of precipitation will hit some parts of these regions, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

Meanwhile, a cold front will sweep across most parts of the country over the next three days, bringing temperatures down by four to eight degrees Celsius in central and eastern regions, the NMC said.

Gale force winds will sweep across the country's northern regions, bringing sandstorms to parts of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Gansu province from Sunday to Monday, the NMC said.