BEIJING, Feb. 8 -- China's national observatory renewed a blue alert for bad weather on Wednesday evening, forecasting snowstorms in parts of the northern and northwestern regions of the country.

From 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, heavy snow is expected in parts of Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei and Beijing, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Blizzards have been forecast to hit some areas of Shanxi, and some places may see more than 10 centimeters of snow cover, the center said.

Local authorities in the affected regions have been advised to make preparations for snowstorms and frost damage, while transportation, power and communications departments should inspect roads, railways and lines, and carry out road cleaning and de-icing.

The center has instructed drivers to be cautious and use anti-skid measures on their vehicles, and also suggested that agricultural and pastoral areas and breeding industries keep feed in reserve.

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