BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- Heavy snowfalls that hit China's southwestern regions in past two days will start to weaken on Saturday but the temperature will remained low, China's meteorological authorities said.

Southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces will see light to medium snow and sleet in the next three days after unexpected heavy precipitation hit the regions in Jan. 8 and 9, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) forecast on Saturday.

However, heavy snowfalls are still likely in some places and the temperature will remained at low level.

The NMC warned of natural disasters including flood, debris flow and landslide and said the local governments should take responsive measures for possible problems in electric power transmission and transport.

In the meantime, light to medium smog will shroud China's northern areas and regions along lower reaches of the Yellow, Yangtze and Huaihe rivers, the NMC said.