BEIJING — A cold front will sweep across most parts of China starting on Feb 20, while rain continues in the south, the national observatory said on Feb 19.

The cold front will come from the northwest and chill northern parts of China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, northwestern and southern regions as well as Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, causing temperature drops ranging from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius from Feb 20 to Feb 22, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said.

The cold wave will bring the temperature down by over 10 degrees Celsius in some places, it said.

From Feb 19 till the weekend, rain will continue in areas along the Yangtze and Han rivers, regions between the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, and regions south of the Yangtze River, the NMC said.

On Feb 19, smog blanketed parts of Hebei, Henan, and Shanxi provinces.

The cold front is expected to disperse pollution from Feb 20, the NMC predicted.

It warned the public in affected regions to take precautions for icy weather while they enjoy various Spring Festival celebrations.