China's national observatory issued a yellow alert on Sunday for high temperatures, the least serious in a three-tier warning system, with some northern provinces expected to see temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius.

The heat wave, which has swept across northern provinces and led temperatures in some areas to historic highs in May, will continue to bake north and central China on Sunday, the National Meteorological Center said.

The observatory expected some regions in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Xinjiang to see temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures in downtown Beijing, and parts of Hebei, Henan, Shandong and Hubei provinces could rise to 39 degrees Celsius, it said.

It noted the heat wave will gradually ease starting May 30 as a cold front approaches the regions.