BEIJING -- The National Meteorological Center (NMC) renewed its blue alert for a cold front on Tuesday, forecasting low temperatures in the country's northern and western regions.

From Tuesday to Thursday, a cold front will hit northern and western China, bringing strong gales and low temperatures, according to the NMC.

Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces will see temperatures drop by up to 12 degrees Celsius, as well as high winds, the NMC said.

Sand and dust will accompany the cold front and sweep parts of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Gansu province and Inner Mongolia.

China has a four-color warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.