Most Chinese people will celebrate a cold and wet Spring Festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year, according to the Chinese Central Meteorological Station Monday.

Snow and rain will shroud the country on February 9, the Lunar New Year 's Day, the most important family holiday in China and ethnic Chinese communities around the world, sources with the station said.

The southern part of China will experience light to moderate snow or rain in the next 10 days and a drop in temperature on the second day of the New Year.

A similar cooling process will happen on February 9, accompanied by fresh breeze or moderate winds in the eastern part.

Snowflakes began to fall in Beijing Saturday evening. After today's halt, light to moderate snow will begin tomorrow, the station said. The sun should appear again on February 10.

Experts suggest those going out of the house to bundle up for the cold and take caution of the slippery roads.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2005)