Kazakhstan is the land with age-old history and peculiar customs. Variety of traditions is accompanied by rich flora and fauna, natural sights and spectacular landscapes. In same manner climate of the country is diverse too. Yet main features across all regions allow considering it as continental. Long cold winter is in contrast with dry hot summer.

Overall amount of precipitation isn’t that big but in southern regions there are torrential rains and significant amount of snow at respective seasons. Some regions are completely located in the zone of subtropical weather conditions however circulation of air masses in vast territories of the country is adjusting climate of all regions.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Kazakhstan

This season it Kazakhstan is rapid and vivid. Main feature of spring is its uncertainty. Any given day at May may start with sun and warmth but by evening shift to cold shower with thunder. But overall temperature range of this season is rather mild. It is never colder than 15 °C (59 °F).

Actual spring lasts for only one month. Maybe that’s why locals have a celebration of same duration. Nowruz as ancient Kazakh custom dedicated to spring and renovation transformed into spectacular festivities with feasts, sport competitions and other folk games.

Сlimate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: -5 °C (23 °F) Min average t°: -14 °C (6 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 27 mm (1.1")

April Max average t°: +8 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 day Precipitation: 26 mm (1.0")

May Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (44 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 27 mm (1.1")

(Astana)

Spring Holidays

Variable dates of March – Nowruz.
March 1 – Day of Gratitude.
March 8 – Women’s Day.
March 27 – World Theater Day.

April 21 – Day of the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

May 1 – Day of the unity of the people of Kazakhstan.
May 9 – Victory Day.
May 31 – Memorial Day for Victims of Political Repression and Hunger.

Summer in Kazakhstan

By the beginning of summer the country transforms into green land with long sunny days. Yet occasionally warmth grows into drought which affects both flora and fauna. Southern regions of Kazakhstan have more comfortable weather without drought and extreme heat.

July is the hottest month with average temperature about 29 °C (84 °F). Rest two months have about 26 °C (79 °F). Precipitation is rare and its level never rises above 50 mm (1.9”). In addition summer in Kazakhstan is the season of weddings and several other meaningful customs. So it’s quite possible that the season is in favor among locals.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

July Max average t°: +27 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 43 mm (1.7")

August Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +11.5 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 23 mm (0.9")

(Astana)

Summer Holidays

June 4 – Day of State Symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
July 6 – Day of the Capital (Nursultan).

Third Sunday of August – Sports Day.
August 30 – Constitution Day.

Autumn in Kazakhstan

Autumn in Kazakhstan is special season. Weather at this season is stable and rather warm. However there is probability of night frosts since second half of October. Tranquil air flows among golden leaves and over crystal clear lakes making autumn in the country peaceful and beautiful. In addition there are no boring rains and ubiquitous dampness.

Temperature slowly drops from 20 °C (68 °F) at September to about -3 °C (27 °F) at November. In terms of precipitation autumn in Kazakhstan is even drier than summer. Autumn is the time of hunting with golden eagles. This ancient Kazakh custom is spectacular and interesting from cultural prospective.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 16 mm (0.6")

October Max average t°: +8 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 28 mm (1.1")

November Max average t°: -3°C (79 °F) Min average t°: -10.5 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

(Astana)

Autumn Holidays

September 1 – Day of Knowledge.

Second Sunday of September – Family Day.
Third Sunday of September – Day of languages of the people of Kazakhstan.
Last Sunday of September – Labor Day.

November 15 – National Currency (tenge) Day.

Winter in Kazakhstan

Cold season in Kazakhstan is quite shifty. While average temperature is about -20 °C (-4 °F) there is probability of severe frosts with -50 °C (-58 °F). Overall winter can be described as dry, frosty and long. Sky is mostly clear and bright providing locals with picturesque views of snowy steppes.

December is the warmest month of winter. And in addition it is time of common celebration of New Year. This celebration is held in traditional Russian way with Christmas tree, midnight feast and presidents’ speech on TV.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: -9 °C (16 °F) Min average t°: -17 °C (1 °F) Sundial in the day: 2.4 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 34 mm (1.3")

January Max average t°: -12 °C (10 °F) Min average t°: -21 °C (-6 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 18.5 mm (0.7")

February Max average t°: -12 °C (11 °F) Min average t°: -21 °C (-6.5 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.2 hours Rainy days: 0~1 days Precipitation: 11 mm (0.4")

(Astana)

Winter Holidays

December 1 – Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
December 16-17 – Independence Day.
December 31-January 2 – New Year celebrations.

January 7 – Orthodox Christmas.