Kazakhstan Weather in January

Season: Winter 
In short: Severe cold, dry
  

Snowfall in January

January is the coldest month of Kazakhstan, with average temperature of -20 - -5℃ (-4 - 23℉). Lowest temperatures occur in northern and central region, where the average temperature is at about -22 - -16℃ (-8 - 4℉). In Astana, the recorded lowest temperature was even lower than -51℃ (-60℉). The southern and coastal regions have a relatively warmer climate, with average temperature at about -11 - -1℃ (13 - 30℉). The average monthly rainfall, usually in the form of snow, in northern region is 15mm in January, while in Almaty in the southern region, the average precipitation is 38mm.

The Warmest Cities in Kazakhstan in January: 
Shymkent: -6 - 3℃ (-21 - 37℉); Almaty: -10 - 5℃ (14 - 41℉); Taraz: -10 - 6℃ (14 - 43℉) 

The Coldest Cities in Kazakhstan in January: 
Astana: -22 - -13℃ (-8 - 9℉); Karaganda: -22 - -10℃ (-8 - 14℉); Balkhash: -22 - -10℃ (-8 -14℉) 

Is January a Good Time to Visit Kazakhstan? 

Because of the severe coldness, January is not a good time to visit Kazakhstan and very a few people travel to Kazakhstan in January. But if you love skiing and snow scenery, January is the right time to travel there.

Dressing-guide for Kazakhstan Trip in January

The temperature is really low in January in Kazakhstan, so you’d better take enough cold-proof clothing. For example, in order to protect yourself from cold injury, you can take several soft and warm sweaters and down coats. Besides, a pair of warm and windproof down pants and thermal underwear are also necessary. Furthermore, a woolen hat, scarf and a pair of comfortable gloves are very useful to help you keep warm. In addition, if you want to walk more comfortably, you need to take a pair of warm and waterproof outdoor shoes. 

Tip: Although it is very frigid in January, the indoor temperature is high. So please make sure your overcoat is easy to put on and take off.

Top Places to Visit in Kazakhstan in January, 2026

Tourism Rate:

1. Almaty

Ski at Shymbulak Ski Resort is a good choice in Almaty in January if you like skiing. After that, you can walk on Albert Street. Around the New Year, the trees on both sides of the road will be decorated with colorful lights, and you can enjoy the unique scenery that the colorful lights and the snow complement each other. 

Besides the ski resort and snow scenery, there are also many historical sites worth visiting, such as Almaty Central Mosque, which is one of the biggest mosques in Kazakhstan and Ascension Cathedral, which is a wooden-structured church and the second tallest wooden building in the world. Also, if you go up to the second floor of the Cathedral, you can overlook the whole city covered by pure white snow.

2. Astana

Astana is truly an ice and snow world in January, and you can overlook the world where ice, snow and modernity coexist on the Bayterek Observation Tower. If you want to escape the coldness for some while, Khazret Sultan Mosque is a good choice, which is a unique Islamic-style building. When this mosque covered with snow, it looks like a fairy tale world. Additionally, the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is also a great destination, where you can learn about the history of Kazakhstan in a warm and spring-like rooms. At end of the day, take a bus to Khan Shatyry Entertainment Centre, a tent-shaped shopping hall. You can taste all kinds of foods from all over the world here. Besides, you can swim in the heated swimming pool and view the snow outside on the top floor.

Night View of Kazakhstan in January

Exhibits in Central State Museum

January Weather of Major Kazakhstan Travel Destinations

City	Temp.	Rainfall (mm)	Humidity (%)	Sunrise / Sunset
Almaty	-21 - 4℃ (-6 - 39℉)	34 / 5	77	8:06 - 8:24 / 17:15 - 17:52
Astana	-35 - 0℃ (-31 - 32℉)	12 / 3	91	8:53 - 9:17 / 17:16 - 18:01
Shymkent	5 - 5℃ (23 - 41℉)	73 / 8	75	8:35 - 8:50 / 17:59 - 18:34
Aktobe	-16 - -8℃ (3.2 - 17.6℉)	25 / 3	81	8:38 - 9:00 / 17:22 - 18:04
Charyn Canyon	-9 - 0℃ (16 - 32℉)	30 / 4	83	8:13 - 8:29 / 17:33 - 17:59
Aktau	-6℃ (5 - 21℉)	28 / 2	86	9: 08 - 9:22 / 17:49 - 18:09