BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Thursday renewed its forecast for high temperature for several regions in China.

From Thursday to Saturday, high temperatures ranging from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius will sweep central and eastern parts of north China, most areas between the Yellow River and the Huai River, the western part of Liaoning Province and central part of Yunnan Province, the NMC said on its website.

Some areas may see temperatures surpass 40 degrees Celsius, the observatory warned.

"Hot weather usually takes place as a regional phenomenon in May, so the heat is not arriving too soon for this year," said Chen Tao with the NMC.

Northern and northeastern parts of China will be on a roller-coaster ride of temperatures, as the reading is expected to drop on the heels of the hot spell due to significant rainfall and strong wind, according to the NMC.

Heavy rain will hit most parts of south China, as well as areas between the Yellow River and the Huai River starting Friday, with rainstorms in some of these areas, the NMC said.