Almaty Weather

Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata), the most populous city and former capital of Kazakhstan, is located in the southeast, on the first slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains, and its altitude varies according to the area, but the centre is at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level. The average temperature here ranges from -4°C in January to 24.5°C in July, and there is often a wide temperature range between day and night.

In winter there can be cold waves, sometimes prolonged, with the worst temperatures dropping to -30°C (-22°F). The coldest record is -37.7°C (-35.9°F), recorded at the end of February 1951.

Summers are hot, but the heat is more bearable at higher altitudes than at sea level, and it is sunny, although there can be thunderstorms in the afternoons, especially in the first half of the season (June-July). On the hottest days of the year, temperatures typically reach 37/38°C (99/100°F). The highest record is 43.5°C (110.3°F), set in July 1983.

Due to its location at the foot of the mountains, Almaty receives more rainfall than other parts of the country, amounting to 585 mm (23 in) per year, with a maximum in the spring, from March to May, when the intensity is intense. Collisions between air masses occur, so spring is also the season of winds.

Due to its altitude, Almaty is more exposed to cold air masses, so despite its southern location, there are 55 snow days a year, and there can be late snowfalls in spring and early snowfalls in autumn.

Almaty can have sunny days even in winter, and in summer the sun shines regularly, although less frequently than in the plains.