BEIJING - Plunging temperatures and heavy rain will hit China's southern provinces over the next few days as a strong cold front moves southward, the country's national observatory forecast on Wednesday.

Regions south of the Yangtze River and some parts of Guizhou Province will see temperatures plunge by up to 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday, the National Meteorological Center said.

Rainstorms are expected to batter areas in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region as well as Hunan and Guizhou provinces on Wednesday while Sichuan and Yunnan provinces can expect heavy rains during the next two days.

The observatory also forecast that a cold front will hit the country's northern regions from Sept 30, bringing temperatures down by up to 12 degrees Celsius in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and northeastern provinces.