BEIJING, May 15 -- The National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Friday issued a yellow alert for torrential rain, thunderstorms and hail in parts of southern China.

Heavy rain will hit the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Yunnan, Guizhou as well as Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region until Saturday. Thunderstorms and hail are also expected in some parts, the NMC said.

The weather observatory advised residents to stay indoors and on alert. It also asked local authorities to brace for the severe weather.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Meanwhile, the National Climate Center said the recent rainfall is a result of El Nino, a weather pattern that can bring drought in some parts while causing floods in others.

Zhou Bing with the center, said the phenomenon will last till the autumn, and is expected to worsen the situation of floods in south China and drought in the north.