When to go · Almaty
Almaty in January
Mixed month. Cold, smog possible; ski season.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) / −9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Kazakhstan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Kazakhstan overall
Verdict
Cold, smog possible; ski season.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- AlmatyHighs around -2 °C (28 °F), lows around -9 °C (16 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 28 °F (-2 °C), lows around 16 °F (-9 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Almaty and the south-east mountains, Kazakhstan · Almaty, Medeu, Kolsai, Charyncool
Continental with mountain weather: snow in the city Dec–Feb, smog on still winter days, hot dry summers in the valleys and cool nights at the lakes.
Winter season
Cold, icy pavements, possible smog inversions; ski season at Shymbulak is the upside.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Ski season at Shymbulak
Cold, ski season at Shymbulak; check air quality before outdoor plans.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Kazakhstan overall
- Medium
- Prices · Kazakhstan overall
- Medium
Kazakhstan overall: Cold and smoggy in Almaty; ski season on Shymbulak; −30 °C possible in Astana.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Almaty, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Apr: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Night low
Jan: -9 °C (16 °F)16 °F (-9 °C)
Apr: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 8 (better)
Apr: 11
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Apr: Low
Prices
Jan: Medium
Apr: Low
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Apr: 1
January: Cold, smog possible; ski season.
April: Apple and cherry blossom; mild.
Almaty: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket