BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Many regions across China have been affected by heavy rainfall and snow. The cold weather will continue this week.

According to the National Meteorological Center, heavy snow is expected to hit east China's Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday.

Shanghai's railway authority said Tuesday it would temporarily stop selling tickets for high-speed trains passing through above regions during the period.

Shanghai's weather bureau said Tuesday that the city should expect rain and snow this week, which could affect transportation in the city.

The education department of Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, said Tuesday that primary schools, secondary schools, kindergartens, and high schools in rural areas, will be suspended on Wednesday.

Gales, rain and snow swept central China's Hubei Province Tuesday. The persistent cold weather has affected agriculture and power supplies in the province. Hail and snow in neighboring provinces have put pressure on Hubei's transportation network.

Northwest China's Shaanxi Province has issued an emergency response for snow expected from Tuesday.

The national meteorological center on Tuesday maintained a blue alert for cold in many regions. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.