BEIJING, Nov. 20 -- China's meteorological authority on Monday issued a yellow alert for cold waves, forecasting low temperatures and gales in some parts of the country.

From Monday night to Friday, temperatures are expected to drop by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the northern areas, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The forecast added that some areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northeast China could see a temperature drop of more than 16 degrees Celsius.

Gales are expected to hit the aforementioned areas, said the center.

The center advised the public to take precautions against the cold weather and strong winds.

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