BEIJING - Snow and rain is expected to fall in central and eastern China sweeping away lingering smog, weather authorities said on Saturday.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said from Saturday sleet and snow will fall in parts of Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, as well as north China and regions along the Yellow and Huai rivers.

Small to moderate snow will hit the Chinese capital Beijing during Saturday evening and Sunday morning, where air quality fell to dangerous levels again on Saturday.

For regions south of the Huai River there will be mainly rain, said the CMA.

The snow and rain will ease from Monday, bringing temperatures down by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, it said.

The CMA warned that despite an improvement in air quality, the weather could disrupt transport especially ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush.