BEIJING - A strong cold front will bring temperatures down by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius in most areas of China from Saturday to February 19, weather forecasters said Wednesday.

During the period, temperatures will plunge by more than 12 degrees Celsius in northeast China and parts of north China, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a press release.

Light to moderate snow will fall in northeast China, eastern parts of northwest China, western and northern parts of north China and regions along the Yellow and Huaihe rivers, according to the NMC.

Overcast days and rain or snow were forecast for most parts of south China.

The cold front will come on the heels of a weak cold front that lasted from Wednesday to Friday.