BEIJING — China’s national observatory issued a blue alert on March 19, the lowest level in a four-tier warning system, for a cold front in some eastern and central regions.

From March 19 to March 23, a cold front will hit most parts of central and eastern China, causing the temperatures to drop 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

In some areas of Inner Mongolia autonomous region and northeastern regions, temperatures will drop by over 12 degrees Celsius.

Affected by the strong cold wave, strong wind will sweep most of the northern regions, the center said.

In the country’s four-tier weather warning system, red is the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.