A yellow alert for smog across northern regions over the next three days was issued by the national observatory on Wednesday.
Beijing, Tianjin and the provinces of Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi and Shaanxi will experience smog from Wednesday through Friday, according a statement on the National Meteorological Center (NMC) website.
The peak concentration of PM 2.5, particles in hazardous smog, is forecast to hit as high as 250 micrograms per cubic meter over the next two days, according to the statement.
The NMC suggested people avoid outdoor activities and take precautions during the period.
Rain is expected to dampen southern parts of the country over the next ten days. The statement said people should pay close attention while on the roads as persistent rain will effect transportation.
People should also remain on high alert for possible mud-rock flows and landslides, the statement added.
China has a four-tier warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
