Kazakhstan in October

Cooler, first snow up high; good city month.

No other month rates higher than October for Kazakhstan in this guide.

• Almaty and the south-east mountains · Almaty, Medeu, Kolsai, Charynbest weather

  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, Tarazbest weather

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

• West and the Caspian · Aktau, Mangystau, Atyraubest weather

  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 slopesbest weather

  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 countrybest weather

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

• Altai: Ust-Kamenogorsk · Irtysh valleyfine

  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 foothillsfine

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

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

  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 Caspianfine

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

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

  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 foothillsbest weather

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

• Kazakh Desert: Aral Sea and Kyzylorda · Aral Karakumbest weather

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

• Kazakhstani North: Astana and Akmola · Central steppefine

  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 beltfine

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

• Kazakhstani North: Pavlodar · Irtysh valley, northeastfine

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

• Almaty15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Aktau19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 4 rain days
• Aktobe12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 7 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 7 rain days
• Aral20 °C (68 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 4 rain days
• Atyrau15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
• Baikonur14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 6 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 6 rain days
• Balkhash22 °C (72 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• Beyneu18 °C (64 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 3 rain days
• Chimbulak13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 6 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 6 rain days
• Karaganda15 °C (59 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Kentau20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
• Kokshetau12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
• Kostanay9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Kyzylorda20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 4 rain days
• Oral14 °C (57 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 7 rain days
• Pavlodar13 °C (55 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 7 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 7 rain days
• Semey15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
• Taraz17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
• Turkestan20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 3 rain days
• Ust‑Kamenogorsk13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 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.

• Republic Day

  25 Oct

  Public holiday (restored 2022).

• Golden autumn

  Almaty

  Cool and clear; golden trees in Panfilov Park.

Crowds · Kazakhstan

Low

Prices · Kazakhstan

Low

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

• Almaty and the south-east mountains

  Best weather of the year (Almaty, Medeu, Kolsai, Charyn)

• South (Silk Road)

  Best weather of the year (Shymkent, Turkistan, Taraz)

• West and the Caspian

  Best weather of the year (Aktau, Mangystau, Atyrau)

• Almaty

  Cool and clear; golden trees.

• Aktau

  Best months: May–Oct

• Aral

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Atyrau

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Kentau

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Kyzylorda

  Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

• Taraz

  Best months: May–June, Sep–Oct

• Turkestan

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct

• Shymkent

  Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct (mild before or after the summer heat)