Kazakhstan Almaty Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Almaty is moderate
January is moderate for Almaty.
January is Almaty's coldest month and the heart of its ski season. It averages -4°C/-11°C (25°F/12°F), with snow on the ground in the city and far deeper cover up in the mountains.
The season belongs to the mountains. Shymbulak ski resort (a 25-30 minute gondola ride from Medeu, topping out around 3,200m) has its best snow now, and the Medeu rink — the highest outdoor skating rink in the world at 1,691m — is at its winter peak. A day combining Medeu skating and Shymbulak skiing is the classic January outing.
Travel score
Almaty January Weather Stats
Avg High
-4°C
Avg Low
-11°C
Rainy Days
11
32mm total
Sunshine
3h
Daily avg
Humidity
76%
dry
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
48 μg/m³
PM10
78 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-8°C
Nighttime
-16°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best ski snow of the year at Shymbulak
- Medeu — the world's highest outdoor ice rink — at its best
- Festive New Year and Orthodox Christmas atmosphere
- Lower city-hotel rates outside the ski areas
Cons
- Bitterly cold (-11°C lows) and icy pavements
- Worst air quality of the year (winter smog in the basin)
- Short daylight and frequent cloud
- Some mountain day trips closed by snow/avalanche risk
January Events & Festivals
- Ski season in full swing at Shymbulak (2,200m) — best snow of the year
- Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7) — a public holiday in Kazakhstan
- Medeu outdoor skating rink at its best — the highest ice rink in the world (1,691m)
- New Year holidays (Jan 1-2) — peak domestic travel and closures
Almaty in January — Full Picture
January is Almaty's coldest month and the heart of its ski season. It averages -4°C/-11°C (25°F/12°F), with snow on the ground in the city and far deeper cover up in the mountains.
The season belongs to the mountains. Shymbulak ski resort (a 25-30 minute gondola ride from Medeu, topping out around 3,200m) has its best snow now, and the Medeu rink — the highest outdoor skating rink in the world at 1,691m — is at its winter peak. A day combining Medeu skating and Shymbulak skiing is the classic January outing.
In the city, Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7) is a public holiday with a festive feel, following the secular New Year (the bigger celebration here). Hotel demand rises around the ski crowd, so book mountain-area stays ahead.
Note: Almaty sits in a basin against the Tian Shan, which traps winter smog on still, cold days — air quality is at its worst in winter. Charyn Canyon and Big Almaty Lake day trips are weather-dependent and can be closed by snow or avalanche risk. Dress for serious cold and icy pavements.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Deep winter — averages -4°C/-11°C (25°F/12°F), the coldest month. A heavy down jacket, thermal base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, and insulated waterproof boots are essential. The city sits under regular snow, and the Tian Shan foothills are colder and snowier still.
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 January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Almaty?
Almaty in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Almaty in January?
Almaty January averages a high of -4°C and a low of -11°C.
Does it rain much in Almaty in January?
Almaty January averages 32mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Almaty in January?
Deep winter — averages -4°C/-11°C (25°F/12°F), the coldest month. A heavy down jacket, thermal base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, and insulated waterproof boots are essential. The city sits under regular snow, and the Tian Shan foothills are colder and snowier still.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Almaty in January?
Almaty January sunrise is 08:45 and sunset is 17:35, with 8h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Almaty in January?
Almaty January air quality (AQI) averages 92, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 48μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Almaty in January?
In January, Almaty is great for Skiing at Shymbulak resort, Skating at Medeu rink, Kok-Tobe hill snow views by cable car.
Is January peak season in Almaty?
Almaty January crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. 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.