BEIJING - China's meteorological authority said Tuesday that the country's northern regions remain in the grip of severe cold, with minimum temperatures plunging to minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Minimum temperatures in the county of Mohe in Heilongjiang province and some parts of Inner Mongolia autonomous region have stayed below minus 40 degrees Celsius for more than a week, according to a statement posted on the National Meteorological Center's website.

On Sunday, minimum temperatures in the city of Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia reached a record low of minus 44.9 degrees Celsius.

The center forecast a fresh cold wave will hit the country over the next three days, bringing heavy winds and causing temperatures in the northern regions to drop by at least 4 to 6 degrees Celsius.

The center suggested people keep warm when doing outdoor activities to prevent respiratory disease.