A decline in temperature is forecast across much of China from May 5 to 7, with the dial falling by as much as 14 C in some areas, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The cooling process will be accompanied by strong winds, sand and dust in most parts of northern China, as the temperatures drop by 5 C to 14 C.

The Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Heilongjiang province are expected to see sleet on May 5 and 6, the center said. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain will hit northern and southern parts of China.

China Meteorological Administration's Weather China website said that after the warm Labor Day Holiday, from April 30 to May 4, a stream of cold air is heading south and precipitation in southern provinces will increase. Heavy rain may hit Jiangxi, Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

From May 3, temperatures in northern China have surged. By May 4, many cities in the north had experienced 30 C temperatures for the first time this year.

As of 5 pm on May 3, the real-time temperature at Beijing's benchmark observatory had reached 31.9 C. The highest temperature in Shijiazhuang in Hebei province on May 4 reached 34 C, the local meteorological service said.

The center said that during the holiday, rain in southern regions gave way as the weather turned sunny. However, as the holiday ends, the rain will "also return to work", especially in areas south of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

The website warned that the public should protect themselves from the cold snap, especially as the temperature difference between day and night in the north for the next few days will be around 15 C, and in some mountainous areas it could even reach about 25 C.