A cold front is forecast to hit China in the next three days bringing a chill to the north and strong rains to the south, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Sunday.

Temperatures in most parts of the country will drop by 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. Others can expect drops of between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius.

The cold air from western Siberia arrived at the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday and is expected to move southeastward.

Strong winds and sand storms will blanket most of North China.

The chilly temperatures might cause some crop damage, but should also help to relieve the prolonged drought in North China, according to CMA meteorologists.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)