Weather in Almaty

Planning your day in Almaty? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and visual charts to help you be prepared for any surprises nature might bring.

The climate of Almaty is characterized as sharply continental, which means significant temperature fluctuations between seasons. The city experiences four distinct seasons: a cold, snowy winter and a hot, predominantly dry summer. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with more moderate temperatures and changeable weather.

Winters in Almaty are generally frosty, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January and December. Summer, by contrast, is warm and sunny, with peak temperatures in July and August. Precipitation is distributed unevenly throughout the year, but overall amounts are low, indicating a relatively dry climate. The highest number of wet days occurs in the spring and early summer months, though the total volume of rainfall remains low.

When planning a trip to Almaty, it is worth considering these seasonal features. The summer months are ideal for active leisure and walking around the city, while winter attracts winter sports enthusiasts. Spring and autumn will delight you with comfortable temperatures for excursions but can be more unpredictable regarding precipitation.

The climate of Almaty demonstrates a distinct shift in temperature regimes throughout the year, characteristic of its continental location. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average air temperature is around -7.3°C, and nighttime lows can drop to -11.6°C. Daytime highs in January rarely exceed -3.0°C. Conversely, the peak of summer heat occurs in July, when the average temperature reaches +20.2°C. During this period, the daytime temperature often rises to +26.5°C and above, creating comfortable conditions for a summer holiday, although nights can be cooler, with temperatures around +13.9°C.

The summer months in Almaty, from June to August, are characterized by predominantly warm and hot weather. The average temperature in June is +17.0°C (from +11.0°C at night to +23.1°C during the day), in July, as mentioned, it is +20.2°C, and in August it drops slightly to +18.3°C (with nighttime lows of +12.2°C and daytime highs of +24.4°C). A feature of the summer period is noticeable daily temperature fluctuations: the difference between day and night readings often exceeds 10-12 degrees. This means that even after a sweltering day, the evening can bring pleasant coolness.

The winter season, covering December, January, and February, brings steady frosts to Almaty. Monthly average temperatures during this period range from -4.5°C in February (minimum -9.1°C, maximum +0.2°C) to -7.3°C in January. December is also cold, with an average temperature of -5.8°C (from -9.9°C to -1.7°C). Nighttime temperatures regularly drop significantly below freezing, and daytime highs often remain in the negative zone. Daily temperature variations are also present in winter, although somewhat less pronounced than in summer, averaging 8-9 degrees.

Precipitation in Almaty is distributed unevenly throughout the year, but overall the total amount is small, which is typical for a continental climate. According to monthly average data, the highest volume of precipitation falls during the spring months: in April and May levels reach 4 mm, and in March – 3 mm. The winter period, particularly January, February, and December, is the driest, with precipitation amounting to just 1 mm per month. In the remaining months, from June to November, about 2 mm of precipitation falls monthly.

If we look at the frequency of precipitation, the highest number of "wet" days is observed from late spring throughout the summer. For instance, in June there are on average 17 days with precipitation, making it the month with the most frequent, though not heavy, rainfall. Precipitation occurs slightly less often in May (16 days) and August (15 days). In March, April, and July, one can also expect precipitation for approximately 14 days. The fewest days with precipitation occur in December (only 7 days), followed by January (8 days) and February (9 days).

The nature of precipitation in Almaty depends on the time of year. During the cold period – from December to February, as well as likely in November and partly in March, when average temperatures drop below freezing, precipitation falls primarily as snow. Given the small amount in millimeters, these are likely to be light or moderate snowfalls. In the warm season, from April to October, precipitation takes the form of rain. Again, the low millimeter count even in the "wettest" months by frequency indicates that heavy and prolonged downpours are not characteristic of Almaty; it will most likely be short rains or drizzle.

When planning a trip to Almaty, it is important to consider significant seasonal temperature fluctuations and changeable weather. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to weather changes throughout the day, especially considering that even in summer, evenings can be cool. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your best friend, as Almaty and its surroundings offer many places to explore on foot. Do not forget a small backpack for day trips, where you can put a removed layer of clothing or other necessary small items.

For the winter months (from December to February, as well as covering November and March), be sure to pack warm clothing: sweaters, fleece tops, thermal underwear, and warm trousers. A winter jacket or coat (preferably windproof and waterproof, as snow is possible), a hat, a scarf, and gloves are necessary. Given the low temperatures, especially in January (averaging -7.3°C), and the likelihood of snow, ensure you have warm and waterproof footwear. In spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October), the weather can be unpredictable. You will need a mid-season jacket, a light sweater, as well as an umbrella or raincoat, as the number of rainy days increases during these periods, although the precipitation itself is usually not very heavy.

The summer months in Almaty (from June to August) will delight you with warmth, with average temperatures around +17°C to +20°C and daytime highs up to +26.5°C. For this time of year, light natural fabrics are suitable: t-shirts, shorts, skirts, and dresses. However, even in summer, it is worth keeping a light sweater or cardigan with you for evening walks. Given the large number of sunny days, do not forget sunscreen, headwear, and sunglasses. Despite the total amount of precipitation being low in summer, the number of "wet" days is quite significant (14-17 days per month), so a compact umbrella or a light raincoat may come in handy for short rains.