Climate Insights for Shymkent

The climate in Shymkent is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 726mm of precipitation falls per year. May is the wettest month, receiving around 141mm of rainfall. Shymkent is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are November, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -2°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 87cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Shymkent vary considerably across the year, with a 35°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 33°C and the mean temperature sits around 26°C. The coldest month is November, when overnight lows fall to -2°C and the daily average is 3°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 12°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 12°C shift in average temperatures.

Shymkent is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 726mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 60mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 141mm of rainfall. March and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 3mm. That's 139mm less than May, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 87cm accumulating over the season. December typically sees the most snow at around 29cm.

Shymkent is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 3km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 1km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Shymkent, which began on June 21, 2026. Shymkent is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 33°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in November near -2°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 63 days from now.

The best time to visit Shymkent is during June and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 23°C with modest rainfall averaging 33mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 33°C, while November is the coldest period with lows dropping to -2°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Shymkent based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.