Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Kazakhstan in January.

Are you planning a trip a to Kazakhstan in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Kazakhstan in January

Kazakhstan has a wide variety of climate types. During January, you can expect temperatures that range from very cold to cold and precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. January is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Balchasj at -12°C (10°F) to cold in Aktau at 5°C (41°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -1°C (30°F) in Aktau and -20°C (-4°F) in Balchasj. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Kazakhstan, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Ekibastuz with an average of 14 mm (0.6 in) to moderate snowfall in Shymkent with 77 mm (3 in). Going by our weather data, this month in Almaty usually has the least rain, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Almaty as an example - it receives around 117 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore Kazakhstan by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Kazakhstan - and find the best time to visit. (based on Almaty)

Best Places to Visit in Kazakhstan in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Kazakhstan.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Kazakhstan

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Kazakhstan?

Temperature range in Kazakhstan (January)

Precipitation variation in Kazakhstan (January)

Almaty

In January Almaty generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C (27°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-1°C (30°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-10°C (14°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Monthly sun hours
102 hours
117 hours
121 hours
Monthly snowfall
36 mm (1.4 in)
30 mm (1.2 in)
45 mm (1.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
9 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Nur-Sultan

In January Nur-Sultan generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -10°C (14°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -19°C (-2°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Min temperature
-16°C (3°F)
-19°C (-2°F)
-18°C (0°F)
Monthly sun hours
95 hours
103 hours
147 hours
Monthly snowfall
29 mm (1.1 in)
22 mm (0.9 in)
24 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
13 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Karaganda

In January Karaganda generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -9°C (16°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -18°C (0°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Min temperature
-16°C (3°F)
-18°C (0°F)
-17°C (1°F)
Monthly sun hours
100 hours
107 hours
145 hours
Monthly snowfall
31 mm (1.2 in)
25 mm (1 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Atyraū

In January Atyraū generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Monthly sun hours
78 hours
100 hours
140 hours
Monthly snowfall
20 mm (0.8 in)
21 mm (0.8 in)
18 mm (0.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
8 days
6 days
Weather conditions

Aktobe

In January Aktobe generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -8°C (18°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -16°C (3°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Min temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-16°C (3°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly sun hours
75 hours
89 hours
135 hours
Monthly snowfall
39 mm (1.5 in)
36 mm (1.4 in)
33 mm (1.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
13 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Kazakhstan.

In our records: Kazakhstan January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Kazakhstan in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest January night in Kazakhstan dropped to -46°C (-51°F) in Balchasj on January 5, 2011.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Kazakhstan in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Almaty -3°C (27°F) -13°C (9°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nur-Sultan -10°C (14°F) -19°C (-2°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Petropavlovsk -11°C (12°F) -20°C (-4°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Atyraū -2°C (28°F) -9°C (16°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Shymkent 5°C (41°F) -5°C (23°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aktau 5°C (41°F) -1°C (30°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)

Kazakhstan weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Kazakhstan in January?

Expect less favorable weather across Kazakhstan in January. The popular destination of Almaty averages -3°C (27°F) by day and -13°C (9°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in Kazakhstan in January?

Daytime temperatures in Almaty peak at roughly -3°C (27°F) in January, dropping to about -13°C (9°F) overnight.

Does Kazakhstan get a lot of snow in January?

Not particularly. Almaty averages just 30 mm (1.2 in) of snow in January, making it a mostly dry month for Kazakhstan.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Kazakhstan?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Kazakhstan with often less favorable weather in Almaty.

Generally speaking, June, July, August and September provide excellent weather in Almaty. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, April, November and December tend to have less favorable weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Kazakhstan.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Kazakhstan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Kazakhstan.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.