Kazakhstan Almaty Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Almaty is moderate
December is moderate for Almaty.
December is firmly winter in Almaty, averaging -1°C/-8°C (30°F/18°F), with snow in the city and the ski season open in the mountains. It's a festive, mountain-focused month.
Shymbulak is skiing, Medeu — the world's highest outdoor rink at 1,691m — is in full swing for skating, and Kok-Tobe gives snowy city panoramas by cable car. The classic winter day pairs Medeu skating with Shymbulak slopes just above it.
Travel score
Almaty December Weather Stats
Avg High
-1°C
Avg Low
-8°C
Rainy Days
12
38mm total
Sunshine
3h
Daily avg
Humidity
76%
dry
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
46 μg/m³
PM10
76 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-5°C
Nighttime
-13°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ski season open at Shymbulak
- Medeu skating in full swing
- Big festive New Year atmosphere
- Snowy Kok-Tobe and mountain scenery
Cons
- Cold (-8°C lows) and icy underfoot
- Winter smog settling in the basin
- Higher New Year and ski-season prices
- Day trips weather-dependent
December Events & Festivals
- Ski season open at Shymbulak; Medeu skating in full swing
- New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1) — the biggest celebration of the year
- Festive lights and markets around the city centre
- Peak winter mountain conditions
Almaty in December — Full Picture
December is firmly winter in Almaty, averaging -1°C/-8°C (30°F/18°F), with snow in the city and the ski season open in the mountains. It's a festive, mountain-focused month.
Shymbulak is skiing, Medeu — the world's highest outdoor rink at 1,691m — is in full swing for skating, and Kok-Tobe gives snowy city panoramas by cable car. The classic winter day pairs Medeu skating with Shymbulak slopes just above it.
New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1) is by far the biggest celebration in Kazakhstan — bigger than Christmas here — with lights, markets, and fireworks around the central squares. Hotel demand and prices rise around the holiday and the ski crowd, so book ahead.
Note: this is the start of the worst air-quality season, when winter smog settles over the city basin on cold, still days. Charyn Canyon and Big Almaty Lake trips are weather-dependent and can be closed by snow or avalanche risk. Dress for hard cold and icy pavements, and allow extra time for winter mountain transport.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold, snowy winter — around -1°C/-8°C (30°F/18°F). A heavy down jacket, thermals, hat, gloves, scarf, and insulated waterproof boots. Snow and ice are the norm; the mountains are deep in their ski season.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
15.3°C
6°C
13.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
17°C
8.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
5°C
9.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current-2.3°C
-9.3°C
11.3/mo
Almaty Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -4° | -11° | 11d·32mm | 3h | 76% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| -2° | -9° | 11d·35mm | 4h | 75% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | -1° | 13d·55mm | 5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 7° | 14d·90mm | 6h | 65% | 6 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 14d·100mm | 7.5h | 62% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 16° | 11d·60mm | 9h | 55% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 18° | 8d·35mm | 10h | 48% | 10 | Busy | Peak | |
| August (Best) | 29° | 17° | 7d·30mm | 9.5h | 48% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 24° | 12° | 8d·35mm | 8h | 55% | 6 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 15° | 5° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | -2° | 11d·45mm | 3.5h | 72% | 2 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| -1° | -8° | 12d·38mm | 3h | 76% | 1 | Moderate | Peak |
View Other Months
Almaty December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Almaty?
Almaty in December is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Almaty in December?
Almaty December averages a high of -1°C and a low of -8°C.
Does it rain much in Almaty in December?
Almaty December averages 38mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Almaty in December?
Cold, snowy winter — around -1°C/-8°C (30°F/18°F). A heavy down jacket, thermals, hat, gloves, scarf, and insulated waterproof boots. Snow and ice are the norm; the mountains are deep in their ski season.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Almaty in December?
Almaty December sunrise is 08:40 and sunset is 17:25, with 8h 45min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Almaty in December?
Almaty December air quality (AQI) averages 90, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 46μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Almaty in December?
In December, Almaty is great for Skiing at Shymbulak, Skating at Medeu, Kok-Tobe snow panoramas.
Is December peak season in Almaty?
Almaty December crowds are moderate and prices are peak. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Almaty
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.