Kazakhstan Weather

Climate Zone: Temperate Arid Continental Climate Zone
Average Temperature: -20 - 30℃ (-4 - 86℉)
Warmest Month: July: 15 - 30℃ (59 - 86℉)
Coolest Month: January: -20 - -5℃ (-4 - 23℉) 

What is the weather like in Kazakhstan?

Located at latitude 40° to 55°N, and mainly lying in temperate arid continental climate zone, Kazakhstan has four distinct seasons. Most regions in Kazakhstan have cold winter, hot summer and cool spring and autumn, but are dry all year round. The climate in the southern region is extremely dry, receiving average annual rainfall of about 100mm. While in the northern region and Caspian Sea region, the climate is relatively humid, because they can receive water vapor from Caspian Sea; the average annual precipitation here is around 300 - 500mm. The eastern region has the most precipitation, which is around 1,000 - 2,000mm annually. 

Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan: April - May and September - October 

The best time to travel to Kazakhstan is from April to May in spring, with the average temperature of about 2 - 20℃ (36 - 68℉), and from September to October in autumn, with the average temperature of about 2 - 22℃ (36 - 72℉). The temperature, neither too high nor too low, is suitable for outdoor activities, including city explorations, hiking and climbing mountains. In addition to favorable weather conditions, they are good seasons to take beautiful photos to retain the wonderful scenery: in spring, you can view the tulip fields; and in autumn, you can view Kazakhstan covered with yellow leaves.

Kolsai Lake in Spring

Monthly Weather of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Seasons – Weather & Clothing Guide

Spring: April - May

Weather: In spring from April to May, the climate of Kazakhstan is changeable: there may be cloudy, rainy or snowy weather. The temperature ranges from 2 - 20 Degrees Celsius (36 - 68 degree Fahrenheit) averagely, which indicates days are cool and suitable for outdoor activities, but the temperature difference between day and night is large. Similarly, the regional temperature difference is also big: in the northern regions, like Astana, there may be snow; in the southern regions, the climate is relatively warm, like in Almaty, the temperature is about 6 - 23℃ (43 - 73℉); while in the coastal regions, like Aktau, the temperature is about 7 - 21℃ (45 - 70℉). Overall, this is a good season to do outdoor activities in Kazakhstan.

Average temperature: 2 - 20℃ (36 - 68℉)
Clothes to wear: trench coat, 3-in-1 windbreaker, jeans, sneakers, mountaineering shoes…

Seasonal Highlights:

1. In Jambyl, you can view the tulip fields from April to May, 2025.
2. March 21st to 23rd every year is the Nowruz Day, which is the most important festival in Kazakhstan. You can make traditional delicacies, like Nawurezi porridge with the locals, and participate in the homestay activities and horse races.

Summer: June - August

Weather: The overall climate in summer from June to August is hot and dry with less rain. And due to the influence of terrain, the temperature varies slightly from deserts to mountains areas. In the northern regions, like Astana, the highest daytime temperature is around 25℃ (77℉); in the southern regions, like Almaty, the daytime temperature can rise to about 30℃ (86℉); while the coastal regions are generally hot, like Aktau, where the daytime temperature is high at around 33℃ (92℉). 

Average temperature: 15 - 30℃ (59 - 86℉)

Clothes to wear: T-shirt, thin coat, shorts, jeans, sandals, sunhat …

Best Things to Do:

1. Take a holiday on the beach and enjoy the coolness at Lake Arakol and Lake Balkhash in Almaty.
2. Enjoy the scenery in Burabay National Park in Akmola, which has fourteen lakes, many trees and mountains, so a good destination to escape the summer heat.

3. On July 6th, the Capital Day of Kazakhstan, you can enjoy the large-scale concerts, street art performances and fireworks shows. 

Visitors in Lake Kayyndy

Streets of Kazakhstan in Summer

Autumn: September - October

Weather: Entering September, the temperature gradually drops and the weather of Kazakhstan gradually turns from hot to cool. The average daytime temperature in autumn from September to October is about 12 - 22℃ (54 - 72℉), which is great for travelling.In October, the temperature continues dropping, ranging from 2 - 12℃ (34 - 54℉), and the temperature difference between day and night is big, so you’d better to take an additional jacket just in case. 

Average temperature: 2 - 22℃ (36 - 72℉)
Clothes to wear: leather jacket, long-sleeved shirt, thin fleece hoodie, jeans, sneakers…

Seasonal Highlights:

1. Autumn and winter are the best season for hunting in Kazakhstan. The Tien-Shan Mountains and the Altai Mountains are the active places for argali. And from September to November, the best quality and most delicious meat of red deer and roe deer can be hunted in the northern forests and eastern grasslands.
2. Every September to October, flamingos gather in the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve in Akmola, which is an excellent opportunity to view them.
3. Autumn also is the best time to hike in Charyn Canyon, which is a paradise for photography enthusiasts.

Winter: November - Next March 

Weather: The winter, from November to Next March, in Kazakhstan is severe cold and long. Except for the western Caspian Sea coast and the southern desert area, which are relatively dry, most areas receive much snowfall. January to February are the coldest months in Kazakhstan. The temperature in the northern region is usually below -20℃ (-4℉). In Astana, the temperature even can drop as low as -40℃ (-40℉). The temperature gradually rises in March but is still low. In the northern regions, like Astana, the lowest temperature is about -16℃ (3℉); while in the southern regions, like Almaty, the temperature is about -2 - 7℃ (28 - 44℉).

Clothes to wear: down jacket, thick winter pants, snow boots, gloves, other cold-proof clothing…

Seasonal Highlights:

1. Winter is the best season to ski at Shymbulak Ski Resort in Zailiysky Alatau, which is about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away from the center of Almaty. Back to Almaty, you can walk on Albert Street and enjoy the unique snow scenery in winter.
2. Winter is the best time to hunt wild boars and wolves. But wolf hunting is quite challenging and requires teamwork. The Akmola region and East Kazakhstan are popular areas for wolf hunting.

Kazakhstan Travel Tips

1. The temperature difference between day and night is big, so put the common drugs in your bag, like cold medicine; and in the winter from November to February, you need to prepare frostbite ointment to avoid cold injury.
2. Please protect yourself from sunburn and replenish water in time if you travel in summer.
3. Check the latest weather changes before hiking and pay attention to your safety during the hiking.