Kazakhstan’s vast territory, stretching over 3,000 km from west to east and nearly 2,000 km from north to south, defines its unique climate characteristics. While the north experiences winter frosts as severe as minus fifty degrees, the south enjoys a summer where melons ripen, and cotton is grown. The climate, except in the south, is sharply continental, with average temperatures ranging from -4°C to -19°C in January and +19°C to +26°C in July. Winter lows can plummet to -45°C, while summer highs can soar to +30°C.
Kazakhstan experiences all four seasons distinctly, with freezing winters, blooming springs, scorching summers, and vibrant autumns. The cold winter begins in November and stretches all the way to April, with Arctic air masses causing temperatures to drop as low as −50°C. Spring is brief and unpredictable, lasting from mid-April to the end of May, where a warm sunny day can suddenly turn into a chilly one. Dry, hot summers start in late May and last until mid-September, with temperatures occasionally reaching +35°C to +40°C. Autumn, marked by steady weather and frosty nights, begins in late September and lasts until early November.
Kazakhstan’s highest recorded temperature occurred in Turkestan (southern Kazakhstan) at +49°C, while the coldest was in Atbasar (Akmola region) at −57°C. Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, is the second coldest capital in the world after Ulaanbaatar. Yet, despite its frigid reputation, Astana welcomes visitors with the warmth of its people’s hearts. When visiting Astana, it’s essential to pack warm clothing, as even summer can surprise you with chilly weather. During winter, a good down jacket is indispensable. The temperature can drop to as low as -52°C, Astana’s official winter record. Strong winds are also common here, with blizzards reaching speeds of over 40 meters per second. In summer, these winds carry dust and sand, while in winter, they bring snow.
In Kazakhstan’s most tourist-friendly city, Almaty, the climate is milder and sunnier. Summers are hot, and both spring and autumn bring considerable rainfall. Winters can occasionally be very snowy. On average, Almaty is 6-7 degrees warmer than the capital. The winds are not as fierce here, and the temperatures in Almaty’s foothill areas can differ significantly from those in the flat parts of the city.
In Kazakhstan’s desert regions, the weather is as unpredictable as in any desert. During summer, daytime temperatures can reach up to +50°C, while at night, they can drop to zero.
The southern regions enjoy much milder winters, with average temperatures hovering around zero, and occasional frosts reaching minus 10°C. A light, waterproof winter jacket is usually enough. Snowfall is rare in the southern plains but abundant in the mountainous regions of the Tien Shan and the Dzungarian Alatau, where snow cover is plentiful.
Summers in the south are extremely hot, with temperatures sometimes surpassing 40°C. Rainfall during the summer months is minimal, and droughts are not uncommon. In the central and northern regions, summer is slightly cooler, though +30°C in July and August is typical. For summer travelers, a hat or cap is a must-have item.
Given Kazakhstan’s diverse climate, we’ve compiled a table of average temperatures for the country’s largest cities, based on climate data from the past 10-15 years. This information can help you estimate the conditions in surrounding areas and settlements. It’s also wise to pack clothing suited to the season and the specific region you plan to visit.
The cities are ranked by their average annual temperature, from highest to lowest. All data is presented in degrees Celsius.