Kazakhstan weather: Astana braces for frost, Almaty swelters in heat

Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, is set to experience its first frosts of the season in the closing days of August, according to meteorologists. Nighttime temperatures in the city are predicted to dip as low as +2°C, with ground frost possible, signaling a sharp shift from summer conditions.

In stark contrast, the southern metropolis of Almaty will continue to swelter under intense summer heat. Daytime temperatures are expected to climb as high as +35°C, offering little respite from the heatwave.

The national weather service, Kazhydromet, has issued a broader forecast for Kazakhstan, anticipating rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hail across many regions in the coming days. By the end of the forecast period, mixed precipitation, including rain and snow, is expected during nighttime hours in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

Specifically for Astana, August 29 will see partly cloudy skies with rain at night and during the day, occasional thunderstorms, and fog in the morning and at night. Winds will be northerly and northwesterly at 9-14 m/s, with gusts up to 20 m/s. Temperatures will range from +9...+11°C at night to +19...+21°C during the day. August 30 forecasts partly cloudy skies with occasional rain and northwesterly winds. Temperatures will be +8...+10°C at night and +13...+15°C during the day. August 31 predicts partly cloudy skies with no precipitation and northwesterly winds, with temperatures dropping to +2...+4°C at night (with ground frosts of -1°C) and +12...+14°C during the day.

Almaty's forecast for August 29 includes partly cloudy skies with no precipitation and light westerly winds. Temperatures will be +17...+19°C at night and +33...+35°C during the day. August 30 anticipates partly cloudy skies with short-lived rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon, with northeasterly winds. Temperatures will be +17...+19°C at night and +31...+33°C during the day. August 31 forecasts partly cloudy skies with short-lived rain and thunderstorms, with northeasterly and easterly winds, and temperatures ranging from +15...+17°C at night to +28...+30°C during the day.