The Beijing Meteorological Station issued a thunder and lightning warning late Wednesday, just hours before the National Day mass parade on the Tian'anmen Square.

The meteorological station issued the yellow warning at 9:25 PM. It said thunder and lightning would hit Beijing from west to east in the coming two hours.

The yellow warning is ranked third after the red and orange warnings, and alerts the authorities prepare to avoid lightning risks to people and property. The public are advised to avoid or reduce outdoor activities.

Rain began to fall at 7 p.m. in Beijing's northern suburban areas, including Yanqing, Mentougou and Huairou districts. The largest rainfall was recorded at Yudu Mountain, in Yanqing, at 4.7mm by 8:00 PM.

The thunder and lightning would last to 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM on Thursday, said Guo Hu, head of Beijing Meteorological Station.

To ensure the military parade went smoothly on Thursday, the weather modification department was expected to carry out artificial rain inducing operations Wednesday night, he said.

A grand ceremony is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM Thursday in Beijing to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It includes a massive military parade and a civilian parade comprising 36 formations and six performing groups involving about 100,000 citizens and 60 floats.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)