How cold can winters become in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan experiences a sharply continental climate characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations between summer and winter.1

In the northern and central regions, average January temperatures typically range from −2 to 3 °F (−19 to −16 °C). The capital, Astana, is noted as one of the coldest capitals in the world, with average winter temperatures dropping to −8 °F (−22 °C). Southern regions are generally milder, with average January temperatures between 23 and 29 °F (−5 to −1.4 °C).12

Extreme cold is a feature of the country's climate; record temperatures as low as −49 °F (−45 °C) have been documented across the nation. In the alpine regions of the Tien Shan, temperatures can be even more severe, with some areas recording lows of −58 °F (−50 °C).13