China's meteorological authority on Wednesday renewed a blue alert for severe convective weather in vast stretches of the country.

From 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, thunderstorms, gales, and hail will sweep parts of Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan, said the National Meteorological Center.

Short bursts of heavy rainfall with hourly precipitation ranging from 30 millimeters to 60 millimeters will lash parts of Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, and Yunnan, the center said.

It has recommended reducing outdoor activities. Vessels operating in or transiting affected waters should return to port or detour, according to the center.

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