Cold Winter Deserts of Turan

Nature Reserve Continental cold desert ecoregion with unique xeric fauna

The Cold Winter Deserts of Turan cover steppe and desert expanses in Central Asia with harsh seasonal temperature swings; researchers and adventurous travelers visit for wildlife, geology and remote landscapes.

Main image
Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
Almaty Region (Turan cold winter desert areas), Kazakhstan
44.0258, 79.0342

Tips for Visiting Cold Winter Deserts of Turan #

  • Plan travel for late spring or early autumn when temperatures are milder and desert tracks are more passable; the Cold Winter Deserts are most challenging in deep winter and high summer extremes.
  • Arrange travel with experienced local operators and use a vehicle equipped for remote terrain-services and fuel stops are sparse in this region, so organized logistics reduce risk.
  • Carry reliable navigation and check-in plans; distances between settlements are large and mobile coverage can be intermittent, so confirm routes and timings with your operator before setting out.

Best Time to Visit Cold Winter Deserts of Turan #

Plan visits in late spring to early autumn to avoid the region's extreme winter cold and the hottest lowland summer temperatures.

Late spring to early autumn (best)
May-September · 10-30°C
Avoids winter cold and still avoids the peak summer heat in many desert basins; good for overland travel and fieldwork.
Winter (extreme cold)
November-March · -30-0°C
Very cold conditions with severe frosts and snow possible in parts of the cold winter deserts; travel and access can be difficult.
Summer (hot in lowlands)
June-August · 25-40°C
Some areas become very hot and dry; daytime heat can be intense in low-lying desert sections.

Weather & Climate near Cold Winter Deserts of Turan #

Climate

Cold Winter Deserts of Turan's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -11°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 64 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-26°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 19 mm and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-10°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -11°C. The driest month with just 19 mm and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-11°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
41%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
14.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 26°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 30°
34%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
15.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 29°
32%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
24°
34%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

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