When to go · Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan in September
Great month. Golden aspens, apple harvest, clear air; the second-best month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Kazakhstan
- Prices
- Medium
- Kazakhstan
Verdict
Golden aspens, apple harvest, clear air; the second-best month.
Is another month better than September?
No other month rates higher than September for Kazakhstan in this guide.
Weather in September
- 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, Karagandafine
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 valleybest weather
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 Caspianbest weather
Colder than the coast; winter ice and snow are normal.
- Central Highlands: Steppe and highland · Karaganda, Karkaraly, Balkhash, Semeybest weather
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.
- Almaty23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 6 rain days
- Aktau27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 3 rain days
- Aktobe22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
- Aral27 °C (81 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 3 rain days
- Atyrau25 °C (77 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
- Baikonur22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 5 rain days
- Balkhash30 °C (86 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
- Beyneu25 °C (77 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 4 rain days
- Chimbulak19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 7 rain days
- Karaganda22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 7 rain days
- Kentau28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
- Kokshetau18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
- Kostanay19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Kyzylorda28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
- Oral22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
- Pavlodar21 °C (70 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
- Semey23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 7 rain days
- Taraz25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
- Turkestan28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
- Ust‑Kamenogorsk19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
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.
Best walking month
Best month for walking and mountain views; clear air, mild days.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Kazakhstan
- Medium
- Prices · Kazakhstan
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kazakhstan, side by side.
Verdict
Sep: Great
Apr: Great
Crowds
Sep: Medium
Apr: Low
Prices
Sep: Medium
Apr: Low
Festivals listed
Sep: 1
Apr: 1
September: Golden aspens, apple harvest, clear air; the second-best month.
April: Apricot blossom and tulips on the steppe; mountain roads still snowy.
Kazakhstan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in September
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)
Best month for walking and mountains.
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: May–Jun, Sep
Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Best months: May–Sep
Best months: May–Sep
Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, Jun–Sep for hiking
Best months: May–Sep