Staff members of a power supply company under the State Grid Corporation of China patrol the power lines amid snow in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, northeast China's Jilin province, Dec 15, 2023.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING — China's meteorological authorities renewed an orange alert for a cold wave on Monday, the most severe warning in its three-tier warning system, forecasting temperature drops in most parts of the country.

According to the National Meteorological Center (NMC), temperatures will drop by 8 to 12 degrees Celsius in most parts of China from Monday to Thursday.

China has a three-tier, color-coded weather warning system for cold waves, with orange representing the most severe weather, followed by yellow and blue

READ MORE: Forecasters warn of extreme cold in central, eastern China

Parts of Hunan province, Guizhou province and northeast China could see temperatures plunge by more than 20 degrees Celsius.

The NMC has called on local governments to take precautions against the cold weather, advised the public to keep warm, and called for necessary measures to protect crops and aquatic products.

READ MORE: China takes multiple measures to tackle strong cold wave

China has a three-tier, color-coded weather warning system for cold waves, with orange representing the most severe weather, followed by yellow and blue.