The National Meteorological Center (NMC issued a blue alert for heavy rains on Sunday, as thunderstorms and torrential rains are expected to hit north China over the next 24 hours.

The observatory said thunderstorms will hit most of north and northeast China. The eastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as well as parts of the provinces of Hebei and Shandong and the cities of Beijing and Tianjin, will experience heavy downpours from Sunday to Monday.

China has a four-color rainstorm warning system, with red being the most serious type of alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

The NMC warned citizens to avoid staying in places that are likely to be hit by thunder and lightning.

The NMC maintained its blue alert for heat waves in China's southern regions, stating that high temperatures will persist in most southern provinces, as well as parts of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and western Inner Mongolia.

Temperatures are expected to reach more than 35 degrees Celsius from Sunday to Tuesday in these places, according to the center's predictions.