Rain, clouds in Shanghai's Spring Festival forecast

The seven-day Spring Festival holiday, which kicks off on Friday and ends on Thursday next week, is expected to bring several days of rain, followed by clouds and dryness, forecasters say.

According to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, the majority of precipitation will fall this weekend with some remaining drizzle harassing Monday as well.

Precipitation between Friday and Sunday could reach 40 to 60 millimeters, well above the 10.2-millimeter average recorded for the same period over recent years.

Holiday high temperatures will be 9 to 10 degrees Celsius, with lows ranging from 5 to 8 degrees, also above average for this time of year.

Local air quality is expected to be good.

Travelers can expect significant rains in central and southern areas of East China, with sleet or snow in the north of Anhui and Jiangsu provinces as well as the south of Shandong Province.

Between Tuesday and Thursday next week, some areas in central and northern East China may experience heavy fog.