BEIJING - China's meteorological authority said Saturday that heavy rains will persist in southern regions over the next three days, while heat will scorch the north.

Heavy rains and rainstorms will slash some parts in south and southwest China, as well as regions south of the Yangtze River from Saturday to Monday, the National Meteorological Center said in an online statement.

Precipitation in those regions will reach as much as 160 millimeters, with some areas likely to see thunderstorms and gales, the center said.

During the period, North China, Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Northeast China will see showers and thunder showers, with some regions expected to be hit by rainstorms, thunderstorms, gales and hailstorms, the center said.

Meanwhile, heat will parch southern parts of north China, regions along the Yellow and Huai rivers, central-northern parts of Shaanxi province, regions along the Yangtze and Han rivers, south Xinjiang basin and the Turpan basin from Saturday to Sunday, the center noted.

Temperatures in those regions may reach up to 38 degrees Celsius, it said.