BEIJING -- China is expected to be hit by four cold waves in February, potentially affecting the peak of the Spring Festival travel rush, a meteorological official said Thursday.

According to Huang Zhuo, deputy head of the National Meteorological Center, rain and snow are forecast to hit central and eastern regions from Feb 5 to 7 and Feb 10 to 13. Another cold air mass is likely to affect these areas early in the Spring Festival holiday, which runs from Feb 15 to 23.

Huang urged vigilance against four major climate risks. North China should guard against staged temperature drops, gales and heavy snow, while northern parts of East and Central China, as well as Southwest China, face risks of low-temperature rain and snow, requiring measures to ensure transport and energy supplies.

Meanwhile, parts of southern and southwestern China must guard against developing drought and forest fires by strengthening water resource management and fire prevention, Huang said.

In January, China experienced five cold waves, more than the historical average for the period. Since mid-January, meteorological drought has developed in regions such as eastern and southern China, with severe conditions reported in most of Fujian, central Guangdong and the coastal areas of Zhejiang.

This year's Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, will run from Feb 2 to March 13, lasting 40 days. Inter-regional passenger trips across China during the period are expected to reach a record high of 9.5 billion, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.