China issues alert for foggy weather

 BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities¹ on Saturday issued a blue-coded alert² for fog in most parts of the country's central and northern provinces from Saturday night to Sunday morning.

Most parts of north China, southwest China's Sichuan Basin and areas along the Yangtze, Yellow, Huaihe and Han rivers will be covered in light fog during the period, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) warned.

The fog will reduce visibility to less than 1,000 meters in Tianjin Municipality and parts of Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, with visibility as low as 200 meters in some areas, according to the center.

The alert represents the lowest level in China's four-tier color-coded weather warning system.

The NMC has advised residents³ to protect themselves against possible air pollution. It also told drivers to be aware of road conditions and to slow down to guarantee safety.

The center also forecast light snow in north China and parts of northeast China from Saturday night to daytime on Sunday. South China, along with the Jianghan Plain and areas south of the Yangtze River, can expect to see rainy weather from Monday to Tuesday, it added.

1 authorities   

n.当局，权力，权威；权威( authority的名词复数 )；权力；学术权威；[复数]当权者

参考例句：

• They interceded with the authorities on behalf of the detainees. 他们为被拘留者向当局求情。
• At his instigation we conceal the fact from the authorities. 我们受他的怂恿向当局隐瞒了事实。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 alert   

adj.机警的，活泼的，机灵的；vt.使...警觉

参考例句：

• Drivers must be on the alert for traffic signals.驾驶员必须密切注意交通信号。
• The rabbIt'seems to be very alert all its life.兔子似乎一生都小心翼翼，十分警觉。

3 residents   

n.居民( resident的名词复数 )；（旅馆的）住宿者

参考例句：

• Plans to build a new mall were deep-sixed after protests from local residents. 修建新室内购物中心的计划由于当地居民反对而搁浅。
• Local residents have reacted angrily to the news. 当地居民对这一消息表示愤怒。