Climate of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has sharply continental climate, which in most of the mild and, in Chui and Fergana valleys – subtropical. Seasons expressed clearly. The duration of the day in December is 9 hours, June – 15 hours.

Strong influence on the climate have a distance from the oceans and what area of ​​the country is mainly in the mountains, at altitudes from 300 to 7000 meters above sea level. Desert and the plains surrounding Kyrgyzstan to the north, west and south-east, make a difference in the climate at different altitudes even more sharply. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan clearly expressed vertical climatic zones, you can select 4 types of climate significantly different among themselves.

Firstly, valleys and foothill zone (500 – 1200 m), which is characterized by hot summers (average temperature in July is the day 30 … 34 ° C) and mild winters (average temperature in January 2 … 5 day, at night – 4 …- 7 oC). During the year a little precipitation (400-500 mm), mostly in the spring and early summer, with a pronounced minimum in August and September. For this zone is characterized by clear weather (180-240 sunny days a year). The absolute maximum temperature in summer reaches 42 … 44oC. Winter is short, the average daily temperature is below zero is observed from mid-November to mid-March.

Next, the middle mountain zone (1000 – 2200 m) is a typical temperate climate with warm summers (average temperature in July is the day 25 … 28oC) and moderately cold winters (average temperature in January is -2 …- 6 in the afternoon, at night -7 …- 10oC), with a small amount of precipitation (200 – 400 mm) falling mostly in the summer and accompanied by thunderstorms. Winter comes earlier – in mid-October and lasts till March.

The alpine zone (2000 – 3500 m) is different cool summers (average temperature in July is the day 18 … 16oC) and cold winters (average temperature in January of -5 …- 10 in the afternoon, at night -15 …- 20 oC) . The amount of precipitation depends on the orientation of the slopes on the western slopes of the rainfall can be 3 times higher than in the eastern. Winter lasts from October until April. Sometimes in the summer months temperatures can drop to 0 oC.

The latter zone of eternal snow (above 3500 m) is characterized by very cold summers (average temperature in July is the day 4 … 7, one night …- 1 oC), and frosty winters (average temperature in January is -10 day .. .-14, at night -29 …- 35oC), frost-free period is only 3-4 months. Absolute minimum air temperature observed in winter (-45 …- 54oC).

The ice-free area of ​​Lake Issyk-Kul (1600 m) in the winter air temperature 3-5oC higher than in other regions, and in summer there is no sweltering heat.

Best time to visit:
In the plains and valleys of the area in spring till autumn – the best time of year to visit, especially from may to early june and from September to October. Spring comes a short period of flowering plants of the desert, and in the fall – harvest time, when the markets are full of fresh fruits and vegetables. In the summer it is very hot, especially in the lowland areas.

To visit the mountain is the best period lasts from mid-July to September, when the mountains fall the least amount of rainfall. The ski season in the mountains runs from December to April. Winters in Kyrgyzstan can be very chilly, especially in the mountains. An exception is the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, where the climate is milder than in other parts of the country.