Parts of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces as well as Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region can expect to see freezing rain during the period.

The observatory also issued a code yellow alert for the cold wave that will affect most parts of the country.

It said temperatures in southern provinces could be up to 7 C lower than the average normal levels, with those in Guizhou and Hunan provinces seeing up to 10 degrees Celsius below the average normal levels.

Temperatures will begin to climb gradually from Jan 1 in most southern regions and reach normal levels on Jan 4, the observatory forecast.