Snow to hit northwestern China

BEIJING -- Snowfall will sweep the northwestern parts of China in the coming days, bringing low temperatures, the country's national observatory said Saturday.

From Saturday to next Tuesday, slight to moderate snow or sleet is expected in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai, said the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Some areas near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang need to brace for heavy snowfall, according to the NMC.

It also forecast light rainfall in some regions of southwest China.

The observatory urged affected areas to take necessary precautions with regard to traffic, transportation and energy supplies.