Climate · Asia
Astana climate, year-round
Kazakhstan · Cold continental steppe (extreme) · Updated May 2026
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Best for: Central-Asia nomads with a specific reason to be there — among the most extreme winters on this list.
Year at a glance
Cells coloured by typical daytime average temperature. ★ = best months for nomads.
Jan
-15°C
78%
1mm
Feb
-14°C
75%
1mm
Mar
-7°C
73%
1mm
Apr
4°C
60%
1mm
May
13°C
50%
2mm
Jun
19°C
55%
2mm
Jul
21°C
60%
2mm
Aug
19°C
60%
2mm
Sep
13°C
65%
1mm
Oct
4°C
73%
1mm
Nov
-6°C
80%
1mm
Dec
-13°C
82%
1mm
Summer peak
21°C
July · 60% humidity
Winter low
-15°C
January · 78% humidity
Climate type
Cold continental steppe (extreme)
Moderate summers, Humid winters
Field notes
Among the most extreme continental climates anywhere. January averages -15°C with regular drops past -30°C — the second-coldest capital city in the world after Ulaanbaatar. Summer is short and warm (June–August, peak 21°C). Spring and autumn shoulders are very brief. Almaty is the warmer Kazakhstan alternative.
Visa for nomads
Low nomad-friendlyPathway
Extendable tourist
Program
—
Typical max stay
3 months
Visa-free 30 days for many western passports; e-visa available for longer stays. No formal DNV.
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with the relevant consulate before applying — visa programs change with little notice.
Cost of living in Astana: ~$1,290/mo
Mid-tier monthly across rent, food, transport, utilities, and coworking.
Cities with a similar climate
Editorial estimates aggregated from public climatological summaries — typical monthly averages, not forecasts. Treat as order-of-magnitude. Microclimate, altitude, and recent extreme weather can swing these values significantly.