China's top meteorological authority forecast medium to severe smog in the country's northern regions including Beijing and Tianjin as well as the neighboring Hebei Province on Sunday.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said the smog, which has been in the north since Saturday, is expected to last on Sunday.

Meanwhile, smoggy weather will also affect the country's eastern province of Jiangsu as well as the southwestern province of Sichuan on Sunday, according to the NMC forecast.

The NMC has issued a yellow alert for the smog, representing the third highest warning level among four grades in weather alert.

However, this round of smog will be short-lived. The NMC said a strong cold front will start dispersing the smog on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2014)