BEIJING - A cold front will sweep north China over the next two days, dragging temperatures down by at least 4 degrees Celsius, China's meteorological authority said Saturday.

Temperatures in some parts of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, northeast China and north China are forecast to drop by 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Some of the regions may see temperatures dip by 10 degrees Celsius, the center said.

Heavy rains are expected to lash Hainan province, Leizhou Peninsula and Taiwan over the next three days, while some areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province will see moderate rains or sleet.

Fog is forecast to shroud east and central parts of the country this morning. Visibility in the regions will reduce to less than 1,000 meters, the center said.