Kazakhstan in December

Ski season opens; Independence Day holiday mid-month.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatApricot blossom and tulips on the steppe; mountain roads still snowy.
• MayGreatGreen hills, wild tulips, good hiking at lower levels.
• JuneGreatLakes and passes open; the best all-round month.
• SeptemberGreatGolden aspens, apple harvest, clear air; the second-best month.

• Almaty and the south-east mountains · 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.

• Northern steppe and Astana · Astana, Burabay, Karagandacool

  One of the coldest capitals: −30 °C (−22 °F) cold snaps and blizzards in winter, short warm summers.One of the coldest capitals: −22 °F (−30 °C) cold snaps and blizzards in winter, short warm summers.

• South (Silk Road) · Shymkent, Turkistan, Tarazcool

  Early spring and long, very hot summers; mild winters compared with the north.

• West and the Caspian · Aktau, Mangystau, Atyraucool

  Desert: 40 °C (104 °F)+ summers, strong winds, freezing winter nights; Mangystau trips need a 4×4.Desert: 104 °F (40 °C)+ summers, strong winds, freezing winter nights; Mangystau trips need a 4×4.

• Almaty Province: Almaty and the foothills · Province centre and Tian Shan slopescold

  Continental: hot, dry summers and cold winters. May–June and September–October are the walking months; July–August is hot in the city but fine higher up.

• Almaty Province: Canyon and steppe east · Charyn, Kolsai, border countrycold

  Drier and windier than the city; summer afternoons are hot and exposed, spring and autumn are the comfortable windows.

• Altai: Ust-Kamenogorsk · Irtysh valleycold

  Continental: −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower in January, 30 °C (86 °F)+ in July; rain falls mostly in summer.Continental: −4 °F (−20 °C) or lower in January, 86 °F (30 °C)+ in July; rain falls mostly in summer.

• Altai: Mountain valleys · Altai foothillscold

  Snow lingers into May at altitude; nights stay cold even in July.

• Caspian Basin: Caspian lowlands (Atyrau, Aktau) · Sea shore and desert plaincold

  Continental and dry: hot summers, cold winters. Wind off the Caspian is constant; spring and early autumn are the comfortable windows.

• Caspian Basin: Northern Ural River (Oral) · Steppe north of the Caspiancold

  Colder than the coast; winter ice and snow are normal.

• Central Highlands: Steppe and highland · Karaganda, Karkaraly, Balkhash, Semeycold

  Late May to September is the window: steppe greens up, highland lakes melt, days average 25–30 °C (77–86 °F). Winter is brutal, dry and windy, below −30 °C (−22 °F).Late May to September is the window: steppe greens up, highland lakes melt, days average 77–86 °F (25–30 °C). Winter is brutal, dry and windy, below −22 °F (−30 °C).

• Kazakh Desert: Southern plains (Shymkent, Turkistan, Taraz) · Qyzylqum and foothillscold

  Continental: hot dry summers, cold winters. April–May and September–October are the working months.

• Kazakh Desert: Aral Sea and Kyzylorda · Aral Karakumcold

  Same pattern, more wind and dust; spring and early autumn are the sane windows.

• Kazakhstani North: Astana and Akmola · Central steppecold

  Short summer, long winter. −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower in January; 30 °C (86 °F) days in July. Wind year-round.Short summer, long winter. −4 °F (−20 °C) or lower in January; 86 °F (30 °C) days in July. Wind year-round.

• Kazakhstani North: Kostanay and North Kazakhstan · Northern wheat beltcold

  Colder and wetter than Astana; the same short June–August window.

• Kazakhstani North: Pavlodar · Irtysh valley, northeastcold

  Siberian edge; smoke and haze from steppe fires are possible in late summer.

• Almaty0 °C (32 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 8 rain days
• Aktau5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
• Aktobe-5 °C (23 °F) / -14 °C (7 °F), 8 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 7 °F (-14 °C), 8 rain days
• Aral4 °C (39 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
• Atyrau-2 °C (28 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 8 rain days
• Baikonur-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 6 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 6 rain days
• Balkhash5 °C (41 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Beyneu-2 °C (28 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 2 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 2 rain days
• Chimbulak-1 °C (30 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
• Karaganda-2 °C (28 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Kentau4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Kokshetau-4 °C (25 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 6 rain days25 °F (-4 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 6 rain days
• Kostanay-9 °C (16 °F) / -17 °C (1 °F), 5 rain days16 °F (-9 °C) / 1 °F (-17 °C), 5 rain days
• Kyzylorda6 °C (43 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 2 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 2 rain days
• Oral-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Pavlodar-4 °C (25 °F) / -16 °C (3 °F), 5 rain days25 °F (-4 °C) / 3 °F (-16 °C), 5 rain days
• Semey-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Taraz0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 5 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 5 rain days
• Turkestan5 °C (41 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 2 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 2 rain days
• Ust‑Kamenogorsk-2 °C (28 °F) / -11 °C (12 °F), 6 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 12 °F (-11 °C), 6 rain days

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.

• Independence Day

  16–17 Dec

  Two-day holiday; busy transport.

• Ski season at Shymbulak

  Nov–Mar (variable) · Almaty

  Weekend crowds on the Medeu–Shymbulak road and cable car; book lift tickets ahead on powder days.

Crowds · Kazakhstan

Medium

Prices · Kazakhstan

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kazakhstan, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Chimbulak

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, Jun–Sep for hiking