Temperatures are expected to plunge by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius from late Wednesday due to the expansion of cold air from northern China, weathermen said.

Wintry conditions will last five to seven days with a low temperature around 1 degree downtown at the weekend. The outskirts will be colder. Some areas are likely to see thin ice.

For the next five or six days, the cold air and warm, moisture-laden air from the southwest will bring more rainy days. On Wednesday skies will be dark with moderate rainfall and temperatures of 9-11 degrees.

Thursday will see some drizzle at first with clouds eventually breaking up and dry conditions between 5 to 7 degrees.

Friday will be cloudy with a high of 6 and a low of 2, Saturday likewise. It will feel very cool on Sunday. There is a hugechance of sleet with temperatures between 1 and 4 degrees.

Winds will grow Wednesday night and remain strong through Friday.