BEIJING, Sept. 17 -- China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday issued a blue alert for rainstorms, as heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, heavy rains are forecast to hit parts of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Henan, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, the center said.

Some parts of these regions may experience heavy downpours, with maximum hourly precipitation surpassing 60 millimeters, accompanied by severe convective weather such as thunderstorms and gales.

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