When to go · Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan in December
Mixed month. Cold nights, occasional snow on Registan; New Year crowds in Tashkent.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Uzbekistan
- Prices
- Low
- Uzbekistan
Verdict
Cold nights, occasional snow on Registan; New Year crowds in Tashkent.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- Tashkent and the east · Tashkent, Chimgan, Fergana Valleycool
Continental: snow possible Dec–Feb, highs above 35 °C (95 °F) in Jul–Aug. Chimgan is 10 °C (18 °F) cooler than the city.Continental: snow possible Dec–Feb, highs above 95 °F (35 °C) in Jul–Aug. Chimgan is 18 °F (10 °C) cooler than the city.
- Silk Road oasis cities · Samarkand, Bukhara, Shahrisabzcool
Dry heat to 40 °C (104 °F) in summer; cold, grey winters with frost at night. Samarkand is higher and a little cooler than Bukhara.Dry heat to 104 °F (40 °C) in summer; cold, grey winters with frost at night. Samarkand is higher and a little cooler than Bukhara.
- Khorezm and Karakalpakstan · Khiva, Urgench, Nukus, the Aral Seacool
The most extreme: −15 °C (5 °F) nights in winter, 40 °C (104 °F)+ days in summer, dust storms in spring near the Aral.The most extreme: 5 °F (−15 °C) nights in winter, 104 °F (40 °C)+ days in summer, dust storms in spring near the Aral.
- South · Termez, Surkhandaryacool
The hottest corner of the country; spring comes early. The Afghan border area is restricted.
- Ferghana Valley: Ferghana Valley · Valley floor, 400–500 mcool
Continental and hotter than Tashkent in July–August; April–May and September–October are the comfortable windows.
- Northern Uzbekistan: Khiva / Urgench · Khorezm oasiscold
Continental desert: April–May and September–October are the comfortable windows. July and August push past 40 °C (104 °F); December to February can drop below freezing.Continental desert: April–May and September–October are the comfortable windows. July and August push past 104 °F (40 °C); December to February can drop below freezing.
- Northern Uzbekistan: Nukus / Karakalpakstan · Aral Sea basincold
Drier and windier than Khorezm; spring dust storms are possible. May and September are the best months for the Aral Sea run.
- Samarkand through Bukhara: Samarkand and Bukhara · Zeravshan valley and the Kyzylkum edgecold
Continental and dry: April–May and September–October are the comfortable windows; July–August is hot and dry; winter is cold with occasional snow.
- Southern Uzbekistan: Termez and the Amu Darya valley · Far south, near the Afghan borderfine
The mildest winter in Uzbekistan, but summer is extreme — 40 °C (104 °F) and above from June to August, with the highest readings of the year in July.The mildest winter in Uzbekistan, but summer is extreme — 104 °F (40 °C) and above from June to August, with the highest readings of the year in July.
- Southern Uzbekistan: Shakhrisabz and the Kashkadarya foothills · North of the Amu Darya, 600–900 mcool
Cooler than Termez at night; the Takhtakaracha pass can be snowbound in winter.
- Tashkent7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Andijan5.6 °C (42 °F) / -1.8 °C (29 °F), 32.6 rain days42 °F (5.6 °C) / 29 °F (-1.8 °C), 32.6 rain days
- Ayaz-Kala6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
- Chust8 °C (46 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
- Ferghana7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
- Kokand6 °C (43 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
- Moynoq5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Namangan6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
- Nukus7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
- Pop7 °C (45 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
- Qarshi5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Shakhrisabz10 °C (50 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
- Termez8 °C (46 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
- Urgench7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Samarkand8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
- Bukhara9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 4 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 4 rain days
- Khiva6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 4 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 4 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.
Constitution Day
8 Dec
Public holiday.
New Year
31 Dec – 1 Jan · Tashkent
Public holiday; the city puts up lights and trees, and restaurants book out.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Uzbekistan
- Low
- Prices · Uzbekistan
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Uzbekistan, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Crowds
Dec: Low
Apr: High
Prices
Dec: Low
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
Apr: 1
December: Cold nights, occasional snow on Registan; New Year crowds in Tashkent.
April: Best month: green, 20–28 °C, the peak for tour groups.
Uzbekistan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket