83-year temperature record broken: what May was like in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan saw several temperature records tumble in May 2026, with one long-standing record broken after more than 80 years, according to Kazhydromet. The month was characterized by predominantly dry and unusually warm weather across most of the nation, particularly at the beginning and end. However, the north, east, and central regions experienced significant night frosts, with temperatures dropping to -1°C to -7°C mid-month.

In the capital, Astana, the average temperature in May reached 17.1°C, a notable 2.6°C above the climatic norm of 14.5°C. The city experienced its highest temperature on May 31, hitting 33.8°C, while the lowest recorded temperature was 1.3°C on the night of May 12. Astana received 18 millimeters of precipitation, falling short of the monthly average of 33 millimeters.

Several other regions also registered record-breaking heat. Pavlodar saw temperatures rise to 29.4°C on May 1, surpassing the previous 2022 record. Zhezkazgan recorded 33.1°C and 33.8°C on May 6 and 7, respectively, breaking records from 2014 and 2001. Kyzylorda reached 36.7°C on May 7, exceeding the 2001 record, while Taraz hit 32.1°C on May 7 and 31.8°C on May 9, breaking records from 2015 and 2024. Petropavlovsk's 35°C on May 31 shattered the 1943 record, and Karaganda's 33.7°C on the same day surpassed the 1952 maximum.