Winter weather is set to sweep across Kazakhstan on Friday, February 28, with snowfall expected throughout much of the country as atmospheric fronts move through, according to the Kazhydromet press service. "With the passage of atmospheric fronts, snow is anticipated across most of the country. Fog is also forecast, along with icy conditions in the south and center, and strong winds accompanied by blizzards especially affecting the north, south, and west regions," the report stated, highlighting significant weather shifts.
Throughout the capital, Astana, variable cloud cover is expected, but precipitation will be absent, with occasional fog. Winds are predicted to be from the west-southwest at about 2-7 meters per second, with nighttime lows ranging from -18 to -20 degrees Celsius and daytime highs around -6 to -8.
Meanwhile, the major city of Almaty will see similar variable cloudiness but will experience rain and snow during the day. Fog will also be present, creating hazardous road conditions due to ice. Northeasterly winds at 2-7 meters per second will accompany temperatures dropping to -6 to -8 degrees at night, with daytime highs reportedly reaching between 0 to +2 degrees Celsius.
Shymkent residents can expect variable cloud cover as well, devoid of precipitation. Fog is expected during the night and morning hours. Winds from the southeast shifting to the southwest can be anticipated at 3-8 meters per second, with nighttime temperatures between -4 and -6 degrees and daytime highs of +6 to +8 degrees.
The Akmolinsk region, encountering no precipitation, will have daytime temperatures from -4 to -9 degrees and nighttime from -18 to -23 degrees. The Ulytau region on the western side is expecting snowfall during the day, experiencing daytime temperatures similarly between -4 and -9, with nighttime lows dropping to -12 to -17 degrees.
Karaganda region is reported to have no weather fluctuations, with day temperatures ranging from -6 to -11 degrees. The West Kazakhstan region is set to experience snowfall at night across the western, northern, and eastern areas, with daytime temperatures ranging from -3 to -8, dropping to -11 to -16 degrees at night.
Snow is also anticipated across the Atyrau region with temperatures reaching -3 to -8 degrees by day and -11 to -16 degrees at night. The Mangystau region will see similar conditions. Their forecast indicates daytime temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius with nighttime lows around -6 to -11 degrees.
Across Aktobe, snow is predicted at night in the north, south, and center, with daytime temperatures reaching -4 to -9 degrees and nighttime lows between -10 and -15 degrees. The Kostanay region will remain precipitation-free, with day temperatures from -5 to -10 degrees and nighttime lows between -16 and -21 degrees.
Snowfall has been reported for the North Kazakhstan region during the day, alongside forecasts indicating day temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees, with nighttime temperatures ranging from -11 to -16 degrees. Similarly, the Pavlodar region will experience snowfall at night and during the day, with day temperatures also at -5 to -10 and nighttime lows from -13 to -18 degrees.
Several districts will remain dry with day temperatures holding around -5 to -10 and nighttime dropping to -15 to -20 degrees, with the East Kazakhstan region also facing similar weather patterns.
Additional unseasonable weather is forecasted for Kyzylorda region, where snow along with rain is expected during the day, with day temperatures from 0 to +5 and nighttime lows dropping to -5 to -10 degrees. The Turkistan region anticipates rain mixed with snow primarily over the mountains, with temperatures peaking between +3 to +8 degrees during the day.
Jambyl region will experience snow during the night, with rain and snow forecasted during the day, with temperatures from 0 to +5 degrees. The Almaty region's mountainous south will also see snow, transitioning to rain and snow during the day, with temperatures peaking between -2 to +3 and nighttime lows of -3 to -8.
Across the Zhetysu region, snowfall is also anticipated within mountainous terrain, with temperatures across the day ranging from -3 to +2 and nighttime lows mirroring the Almaty area.
Forecasters have warned of fluctuations in the water levels of mountainous rivers across the southern, southeastern, and eastern regions over the next 24 hours, with plains rivers expected to maintain their winter low levels.