BEIJING, March 28 -- Rain, thunderstorms and hail are expected to sweep south China from Friday night, as the National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued this year's first blue alert on strong convective weather.

Heavy rain has been forecast for parts of Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Guangdong and Hainan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region until Saturday evening, while thunderstorms or hail will hit the south of Hunan and central Jiangxi, the NMC said.

According to the forecast, rain will also fall on southwest provinces, southern reaches of the Yangtze River and south China until April 1.

The NMC warned of landslides and mudslides and reminded people to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

China's meteorological alerts are categorized as blue, yellow, orange and red as the severity ascends.