BEIJING (Xinhua) -- China's National Observatory on Friday issued a red alert for high temperature, the highest level in the four-level alert system, as the sweltering heat wave continued in more areas of the country.

During the daytime hours tomorrow, parts of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are expected to experience temperatures ranging from 35 to 39 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The center added that temperatures in parts of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang may exceed 40 or even 42 degrees Celsius.

The center advised the local authorities to take emergency measures to confront the severe heat wave, by suspending work in open spaces under high temperatures, paying close attention to fire prevention measures, and paying special attention to vulnerable groups.