BEIJING, Sept. 14 -- China's National Meteorological Center on Thursday evening issued a blue alert for rainstorms as heavy downpours are expected to lash multiple regions.

From 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, heavy downpours and rainstorms are forecast to hit Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and Heilongjiang, according to the center.

The center said parts of the affected regions will experience heavy rainfall with a maximum hourly precipitation of over 60 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

The center has advised local governments and relevant departments to prepare for rainstorms.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.