Heavy rain will continue to soak parts of southern China from Friday to Saturday, while a band of rain and snow is expected to sweep from west to east across northern China, according to Weather China, a website affiliated with the China Meteorological Administration.

Intense downpours are forecast for the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian during the period.

The persistent rainy weather follows heavy rainfall that moved eastward on Thursday, bringing downpours and scattered severe convective weather.

Starting from Sunday, a new round of rainfall will develop across southern China as warm and moist air strengthens, the website said. The main rain belt is expected to shift northward first, then move south again.

From Sunday to Tuesday, heavy to torrential rain is forecast for parts of Sichuan and Guizhou provinces and areas along the Yangtze River, with more intense precipitation than in previous rounds. Residents are advised to stay alert and take precautions.