Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and cultural and commercial capital, set at 700-900 m on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau, with snow-capped peaks rising directly behind the city. It combines Soviet-era parks, Orthodox and Muslim landmarks, a thriving cafe and restaurant scene, and the best access in the country to ski slopes, high lakes, canyons and petroglyph sites.
Almaty (elevation 700-900 m in the city, rising to over 1,700 m in the southern suburbs) sits on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau, part of the Tian Shan, and has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and sunny (July daily high about 30 C / 86 F, record 41.7 C), winters are cold with regular snow (January mean about -5 C / 23 F, daily lows around -8 C / 18 F), and spring is the wettest season, with April the rainiest month at roughly 112 mm. The city receives about 673 mm of precipitation and roughly 2,280 hours of sunshine a year (1991-2020 normals). The mountains create sharp contrasts: Medeu (1,700 m), Shymbulak (2,200-3,200 m) and Big Almaty Lake (2,500 m) are much cooler than the city and hold snow from October to May. Winter inversions trap smog in the basin on still days from November to February, so check air quality (the IQAir app or the Kazhydromet site) when planning outdoor days.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
-5°C/24°F
Cold, snowy and usually calm; smog can settle over the city in still weather and the Shymbulak and Oi-Qaragai ski slopes are in full season. Nauryz is still two months away.
February
-2°C/28°F
Cold with frequent light snow in town and deep snow in the foothills; peak skiing and skating season, but short days and winter smog.
March
4°C/40°F
Thaw begins with big day-to-night swings and wet snow or rain; Nauryz (21-23 March) brings yurts, concerts and free festivities in Almaty parks.
April
12°C/54°F
Apple and apricot blossom in the foothills, the wettest month of the year (about 112 mm) with showers; trails above 2,000 m are still snowy and muddy.
May
17°C/63°F
Warm, green and fresh, with spring showers; the best month for foothill walks, Charyn Canyon and Turgen Gorge before the summer heat, and tulips bloom in the Ile-Alatau valleys.
June
22°C/72°F
Warm to hot with long evenings and the first reliable window for Big Almaty Lake and the high plateaus; afternoon thunderstorms are possible in the mountains.
July
24°C/76°F
Hottest month, highs around 30 C in town and up to 40 C on record; the mountains (Shymbulak, Kok-Zhailau) are 10-15 degrees cooler, so day trips go uphill.
August
23°C/74°F
Hot and dry, the sunniest and least rainy summer month; busy domestic holiday season at Kapchagay, Issyk and the Kolsai lakes.
September
18°C/64°F
Warm, dry and golden; the clearest weather of the year and apple harvest (Aport) season, ideal for hiking and Charyn Canyon.
October
11°C/51°F
Cooler and brighter with autumn colour in the Ile-Alatau foothills; first snow possible above 2,500 m and the high-mountain season is closing.
November
3°C/37°F
Grey, cold and damp as the first snow arrives; heating season starts and smog worsens, but hotel prices drop.
December
-3°C/27°F
Cold and snowy with New Year lights in the squares, ice rinks and the Shymbulak ski season opening; short days and winter smog.
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Thaw and blossom: daily highs rise from about 10 C / 50 F in March to 23 C / 73 F in May. April (about 112 mm) and May (about 99 mm) are the wettest months, with showers rather than long rain, and the foothills turn green.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot, sunny and mostly dry, with July highs near 30 C / 86 F and spells above 35 C / 95 F. Evenings are warm and long; the mountains are 10-15 degrees cooler.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September and early October are the best weather of the year: warm days (24 C / 76 F in September, 17 C / 62 F in October), clear air and golden foliage. November turns grey and cold at about 8 C / 46 F with the first snow.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold and snowy, with daytime highs of 0 to 3 C / 32 to 37 F and nights near -6 to -8 C / 18 to 21 F; cold snaps below -20 C occur. The ski season runs roughly December to March, and smog can build on still days.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Jul-Aug (domestic summer holidays at the lakes and Kapchagay) and the New Year and ski weeks from late December to February
- Shoulder Season
- May-June and September-October (best weather and fewer crowds; ideal for sightseeing and hiking)
- Low Season
- November and March-April (muddy, grey and changeable; lowest hotel prices)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Nauryz
The Persian-Turkic New Year and spring equinox is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, with yurt villages, national games, free concerts and traditional dishes such as nauryz kozhe in Almaty parks and squares.
Unity Day and Victory Day
Public holidays with parades, wreath-laying at the Memorial of Glory in Panfilov Park and fireworks in the evening; some museums and offices close.
Tulip season in the foothills
Wild tulips bloom on the Ile-Alatau slopes and the steppe outside the city, popular for photography and short trips; the exact weeks depend on the spring.
Capital Day
Astana's city day is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, observed across the country with concerts in Almaty.
Constitution Day
A public holiday with concerts and events in Almaty city squares.
Apple harvest (Aport) season
Almaty's Aport apples are sold at the Green Bazaar and roadside stalls; this is the time to buy the fruit that gave the city its historic name Alma-Ata.
Republic Day
A public holiday marking the 1990 declaration of sovereignty, celebrated with concerts and events in the city.
Independence Day
Kazakhstan's main national holiday with official ceremonies, concerts and fireworks on Republic Square.