BEIJING, April 19 -- China's National Meteorological Center renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms on Friday as heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the country.

From Friday morning to Saturday morning, heavy rainfall is forecasted to hit parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Guangxi and Guangdong, the center said.

In addition, parts of these regions may experience heavy rainfall, with a maximum hourly precipitation exceeding 70 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales, according to the meteorological center.

Local governments have been urged to make proper preparations and fulfill their responsibilities accordingly.

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