BEIJING — China's national observatory on Dec 5 maintained a blue alert for heavy snow in the country's northern and western regions.

From the morning of Jan 5 to the morning of Jan 6, heavy snow is expected to hit parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The center suggested local authorities take precautions to keep roads, railways and electricity and telecommunication infrastructure safe and advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

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