Strong regional disparities
Although the country's climate is essentially continental, the specific features of its relief and the presence of the Caspian Sea mean that there are many variations. In Astana, in the north, the climate is resolutely hostile in winter, with Siberian cold and heavy snowfalls. It's no coincidence that the city was dubbed the "white tomb" at one point in its history... Summers are more livable, although heat peaks of 35 or 40°C are not uncommon.
The Caspian Sea does little to soften the climate, which on its northern shores is just as continental as elsewhere: the sea can even freeze. Aktau, with winter temperatures averaging between 0 and -5°C, is perhaps the country's most pleasant city in winter. A little further south, the disappearance of the Aral Sea has again accentuated the continental character of the climate.
In Almaty, summers are hot and the city is often drenched by violent thunderstorms from mid-spring onwards. Winters are harsh but more bearable than in the rest of the country, although temperatures often oscillate between -20 and -30°C.
The central steppe and the southern regions around Turkestan are the most difficult to live in, with annual variations of over 80°C between winter and summer.
Rare rains
Rainfall is low in Kazakhstan, averaging 320 mm per year in the north, mainly in summer, and half that in the south, mainly in spring. Only Almaty has a higher annual rainfall than the rest of the country, around 600 mm per year. The scarcity of rainfall and the remoteness of the country from any ocean explain the aridity of the climate, accentuated by the scarcity of water resources in the main rivers. The least-watered area is the Oustiourt plateau, which averages less than 100 mm of rain per year. In contrast, Shymkent, which like Almaty lies at the foot of the mountains, experiences higher rainfall in late winter and early spring.
Few mountains
With an average elevation of less than 500 meters, Kazakhstan is truly a steppe country. The mountains are concentrated on the border with Kyrgyzstan and China, with the Tian Shan range and a peak of 7,010 m; and on the border with Mongolia and China, with the Altai range. The climate is of course very hostile in winter, and reserved only for mountaineers tackling glaciers above 4,000 m, but it's particularly pleasant in summer.
When to go?
As a general rule, and with the exception of skiing, winter should be avoided. December, January and February are extremely cold, especially in the central part of the country, with average temperatures of around -10°C in Almaty and -20°C in Astana. The very dry climate makes the sensation of cold all the more striking. The best time to visit the country is spring, between April and June, or late summer and early autumn, in September-October. Beware, however, that sandstorms are not uncommon on the steppe during these periods. The mountainous areas of Altai are particularly pleasant in summer, when the altitude makes temperatures more bearable.
How do I fit out?
Whatever period you choose for your trip, you'll need to pack accordingly, as even the temperature differences between day and night can be very significant over a mere 24-hour period. A good fleece, rainwear and a windbreaker, as well as a scarf, are essential. A good pair of shoes with sufficiently insulating soles is also recommended.
