Kazakhstan Weather in October

Season: Autumn
In short: Mildly cold and dry; both autumn and winter scenery can be admired. 

As October arrives, Kazakhstan enters into late autumn. The temperatures continue to drop and the snowfall chances start to increase particularly in the north and mountainous areas in the south. You can not only witness leaves turning crimson and gold but also see snowflakes flying in the air. 

Red Autumnal Leaves in Kazakhstan

Temperature 

Kazakhstan experiences mildly cold weather in October during the day with average temperatures of 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit). In early morning and at night, the climate is pretty colder, with average temperatures going down to 2℃ (36 ℉). So it’s advisable to start your outings later in the morning.

As a whole, the temperature is on a downward trend. Early this month, the daytime temperatures stays around 20-30℃ (68-86 ℉); till late October, it can drop to below zero in some northern areas. 

What’s more, the temperature varies from places to places. While the foothills still glow with vibrant autumn colors, snow covers the high mountainous lands, offering visitors a unique opportunity to admire scenery of two seasons.

Also, it is much colder in northern Kazakhstan. For instance, even in autumn, the low average temperatures of Astana could dip to -1℃ (30℉); in southern Kazakhstan like Almaty, the weather is warmer with average low of 4℃ (39℉). 3-in-1 jacket is a nice piece to cope with the temperature of different areas. 

The Warmest Cities in Kazakhstan in October: 
Shymkent: 6 - 20℃ (43 - 68℉); Almaty: 4 -17℃ (39- 63℉); Qyzylorda: 1 - 18℃ (34 - 64℉)

The Coldest Cities in Kazakhstan in October: 

Astana: -1 - 10℃ (30 - 50℉); Karaganda: -4 - 9℃ (25 - 48℉); Aqtobe: 0-12℃ (32 - 54℉)

Rainfall 

On average, the total rainfall is 45 mm with 9 rainy days. The rainfall is mostly in the form of sprinkles. You may need a waterproof jacket to combat the rain. 

Though it is autumn, Astana usually carries the first dusting of snow in mid-October, while snow only remains on high elevation in Almaty. An example is Big Almaty Lake, where you can see stunning winter scenery by lakeside.

Humidity 

October brings crisp air with the average humidity of 40 %. In this dry condition, make sure to carry a water bottle to stay hydrated, and consider applying moisturizer to protect your skin.

Sunrise & Sunset

The length of daylight hours drops to about 11 hours per day, with sunrise from 7:32-8:17 and sunset from 18:13-19:11. It’s wise to plan your outdoor explorations before sunset as temperatures dip rapidly afterward.

Is October a good month to visit Kazakhstan?

Actually, it is an ok month to tour Kazakhstan. 
1. Above all, the weather is not too cold yet, and it is notably more pleasant than winter months. By the way, the country’s heating system possibly starts to work from middle September to early October, so there is no need to overly worry about the coldness. Moreover, the daylight is sufficient, well suited for traveling. 
2. Autumn view with gold foliage in lower lands is charming. Additionally, visitors can appreciate the breathtaking winter scenery without enduring severe coldness.

3. Besides, October is the shoulder season, meaning the cost of air tickets and accommodations is relatively low.

October Scenery in Kazakhstan

 

What to Pack for Kazakhstan Trip in October?

Upper body: Hoodies and sweater are suitable for the noon, and you need a light down jacket or wool coat for the other time. 3-in-1 jacket is a practical one for multiple kinds of weather.

Lower body: Pack thick sweatpants, woolen pants or fleece-lined jeans. Make sure you feel warm while they don’t influence your moves.

Shoes: Choose sneakers for city walks. Pick waterproof and antiskid hiking shoes when you go hiking.
 
Accessories: You might need an umbrella because of drizzles and slight snow. Prepare warm accessories including knitted hats, scarf and gloves for visiting mountainous areas.

Kazakhstan Travel Advice in October 

1. The early mornings and evenings can be chilly in Kazakhstan in October, so it’s advisable to start your journey later in the morning and finish the visit before dark. The most popular sites are Big Almaty Lake, Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Charon Canyon in Almaty, and Hazard Sultan Mosque and Khan Shatyr in Astana. 

2. The weather forecast might not be accurate in high elevation. If unluckily you encounter extreme weather like downpour or snowstorm in these areas, finish your visit immediately for safety concerns.

3. If you would like to enjoy the sunset, autumn foliage and snow-capped mountains at the same time, Kok Tobe in Almaty is an excellent choice with moderate altitude and beautiful scenery. It is recommended to take a cable car to admire these breathtaking sceneries from a bird’s eye view. In case missing the sunset, check the time in advance and get there one or two hours earlier. 

Mountain Hikes in Lake Kayyndy

Charyn Canyon in October

October Weather of Major Kazakhstan Travel Destinations

City	Temp.	Rainfall (mm/days)	Humidity (%)	Sunrise / Sunset
Almaty	4 - 17℃ (39 - 63℉)	40 / 9	60	5:49-6:25 / 16:45-17:33
Astana	-1 - 10℃ (30 - 50℉)	47 / 13	65	6:14-7:05 / 16:50-17:52
Shymkent	6 - 20℃ (43 - 68℉)	15 / 6	53	6:18-6:53 / 17:16-18:03
Aktobe	1- 12℃ (43 - 68℉)	27 / 10	69	7:08-7:53 / 17:51-18:46
Charyn Canyon	4 – 18℃ (39 - 64℉)	35 / 8	55	5:07-5:39 / 15:26-18:19
Aktau	7- 18℃ (45 - 64℉)	12 / 5.3	62	7:30-8:09 / 18:27-19:16