BEIJING, July 11 -- China's meteorological authority on Tuesday renewed a blue alert for severe convective weather in vast stretches of the country.

From 8 a.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday, thunderstorms, gales and hail will sweep parts of Liaoning, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Jiangsu, Hubei and Sichuan, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Short and heavy rainfall with hourly precipitation ranging from 30 millimeters to 60 millimeters will lash parts of Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Shandong, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and northeast China, the center said.

It has recommended reducing outdoor activities. Vessels operating in or transiting affected waters should return to port or detour, according to the center.

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