ULAN BATOR, Nov 29, (Xinhua): Mongolia is expected to experience freezing weather next week, the country's weather agency said Saturday. Starting Saturday night, heavy snow is expected to hit the western and central parts of the country, and overnight temperatures in some areas are expected to reach minus 39-44 degrees Celsius, the weather agency said in a statement.

The agency also warned that strong winds and snowstorms are expected to hit the Altai Mountains in the west and the southern Gobi desert provinces, such as Umnugovi, Dundgovi and Dornogovi, from Saturday to Sunday, with an average wind speed estimated at 18 to 20 meters per second.

In this regard, the country's meteorological agency warned the residents of Ulan Bator and 21 provinces, including nomadic herders, to take extra precautions against possible disasters. Mongolia's harsh and cold winter lasts for quite a long time. Temperature can range between minus 25 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius.