Fall in Bishkek always brings a sudden shift in weather, and it really changes how people dress, get around, and even plan their weekends. Temperatures drop fast, starting with warm September afternoons near 28°C (83°F) and ending with chilly late November days around 6°C (42°F).
Nights cool down even quicker, sometimes dipping close to freezing by the end of autumn.
As the air gets colder, the skies grow cloudier. Daylight shrinks by nearly four hours from early September to late November.
Rainfall stays pretty light, but it’s steady enough that you’ll notice. By the end of autumn, snow starts to show up, signaling winter’s approach.
This mix of crisp air, changing skies, and the first snowflakes makes fall in Bishkek feel especially lively. If you know how the weather shifts, you can plan your city walks or mountain hikes without too many surprises.
Overview of Fall Weather in Bishkek
Fall in Bishkek means cooling temperatures, shorter days, and more clouds. Rain barely increases, but snow starts to show up later, pushing the city from mild autumn into winter.
Typical Autumn Climate Patterns
In September, daily highs often reach the low 80s °F (around 27°C). By late November, those highs drop to the low 40s °F (about 6°C).
Nighttime lows fall from the mid-50s °F (13°C) to the mid-20s °F (-4°C). You’ll want a warm jacket for mornings and evenings, even in early fall.
Cloud cover ramps up quickly. Early September skies usually look clear, but by late November, about half the days turn overcast.
Rain stays limited—about 0.6 inches per month—but snow chances climb from almost zero in September to a few inches by late November.
Daylight falls off sharply, too. You lose nearly four hours of sunlight during the season.
By late November, sunset comes before 5:30 PM, which kind of cuts short outdoor plans.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Fall feels way cooler and less sunny than summer. July highs can hit 90°F (32°C), while by mid-September, fall rarely tops 80°F (27°C).
The air stays dry, so you get that crisp feeling instead of muggy heat.
Winter gets much colder. January averages run from 17°F (-8°C) to 34°F (1°C), and snow usually sticks around.
Fall acts as a bridge—you might still get warm afternoons in September, but by November, nights are freezing.
Spring stands out for being wetter. May is the rainiest month, while fall stays mostly dry.
If you like cooler, steady weather and don’t want to deal with heavy rain, autumn’s a pretty good bet.
Average Temperatures During Autumn
Bishkek cools off steadily through the fall season. Warm September days turn into much colder weather by late November.
There’s a big difference between day and night, so layering up is your friend.
Daytime Highs in Fall
Daytime highs start off near 83°F (28°C) in early September. By late November, they drop to about 42°F (6°C).
September afternoons can still feel like summer, which is great for exploring outside.
By October, highs usually land between 55–65°F (13–18°C)—cool enough for a jacket but still good for sightseeing.
In November, highs often stay in the 40s°F (5–9°C). Snow gets more likely near the end of the month.
If you’re visiting for a few weeks, pack for a real range of temperatures.
| Month | Average High °F | Average High °C |
|---|---|---|
| September | 75–83 | 24–28 |
| October | 55–65 | 13–18 |
| November | 42–50 | 6–10 |
Nighttime Lows and Temperature Variation
Nighttime lows drop even faster than the daytime highs. In early September, lows sit near 57°F (14°C), but by late November, they’re down to about 25°F (-4°C).
That’s a 30-degree swing, so mornings and evenings get pretty cold.
In September, you might just need a sweater at night. By October, lows dip into the 30s–40s°F (3–8°C), and frost starts showing up.
November nights often drop below freezing, with average lows in the 20s°F (-4 to -6°C).
The difference between day and night can reach 20–25°F (11–14°C). You get comfortable afternoons followed by cold evenings, especially later in fall.
If you’re out after sunset, layering is definitely a must.
| Month | Average Low °F | Average Low °C |
|---|---|---|
| September | 55–57 | 13–14 |
| October | 35–40 | 2–4 |
| November | 25–28 | -4 to -2 |
Precipitation Trends in Fall
Rain slows down during fall in Bishkek compared to spring, but you’ll see more cloudy days. Cooler nights sometimes bring the first light snow by late November.
Rainfall Patterns and Wet Days
Rainfall drops steadily as fall goes on. September usually gets around 25–35 mm, spread over 5–7 days.
By October, that falls to about 20–25 mm, and November usually sees only 15–20 mm.
Spring can bring heavy rain, but fall showers are lighter and shorter.
By October, you’ll notice more overcast days, even if it doesn’t rain much. Cloud cover climbs from about 12% in early September to nearly 50% by November.
Here’s a quick look:
| Month | Avg. Precipitation | Rainy Days (avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 25–35 mm | 5–7 days |
| October | 20–25 mm | 4–6 days |
| November | 15–20 mm | 3–5 days |
So, if you visit later in fall, you’ll probably dodge most of the rain, but expect more gray skies.
Chance of Snow and Transitional Weather
Snow almost never shows up in early fall. In September, it’s just too warm.
By late October, overnight lows can get close to freezing, but most precipitation still falls as rain.
November brings the real change. Light snow might fall, especially late in the month, but it usually melts pretty fast.
Average highs in November are around 6–8°C (43–46°F), and lows can drop below 0°C (32°F) at night. That’s when you start seeing a mix of rain and snow.
November’s weather can swing a lot. Some days stay dry and mild, while others bring drizzle, sleet, or a quick snow shower.
That’s Bishkek’s way of easing into its colder, snowier winter.
Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
As autumn rolls in, Bishkek’s air dries out. You’ll notice the change in how the air feels, especially if you spend a lot of time outside.
Average Humidity Levels
Humidity drops as fall goes on. Early September averages around 50–55%, which feels pretty comfortable.
By November, it usually lands closer to 60–65%, since cooler air holds less moisture.
September feels drier than summer, but late autumn mornings can feel colder because there’s more moisture in the cool air.
With less rain in October and November, the air stays less damp than in spring or early summer.
If you’re sensitive to dry air, you’ll probably notice it more indoors. Heating systems can drop humidity below 40%, so a little skin or lip balm goes a long way.
Dew Point and Air Quality
The dew point follows the cooling trend. In September, it hangs around 10–12°C (50–54°F), which feels fairly mild.
By November, it drops to about 0–2°C (32–36°F). That means crisp mornings and a bigger chance of frost.
Lower dew points make the air feel fresher, but your skin might dry out faster. On the plus side, you get clearer skies and better visibility—great if you want to hike or snap photos.
Air quality usually stays pretty good in early fall. By late November, colder air sometimes traps pollution closer to the ground.
If you have breathing issues, it’s worth checking local air reports, especially on calm days when smoke or car exhaust can hang around.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
Skies change fast in Bishkek during fall. Early September brings mostly clear weather, but by late November, it’s a lot cloudier.
At the same time, daylight hours drop, so you get less time outside in natural light.
Cloudiness and Clear Skies
In September, you’ll see plenty of bright days—clear or mostly clear skies about 88% of the time early in the month.
As fall goes on, cloud cover rises quickly. By late November, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 50% of the time.
If you want good mountain views, come earlier in the season. By November, you’ll probably get more gray, with limited visibility.
Here’s the general trend:
- Early September: Mostly clear skies.
- Mid-October: More mixed, partly cloudy days.
- Late November: Cloudy and overcast weather is common.
That’s pretty typical for a continental climate—seasons change fast!
Average Daily Hours of Sun
Daylight hours drop steadily all fall. On September 1, you get about 13 hours and 10 minutes of daylight.
By November 30, you’re down to only 9 hours and 17 minutes. That’s almost 4 fewer hours of natural light.
Sunrise shifts, too. Early September brings sunrise around 6:30 AM, but by late November it’s after 8:00 AM.
Sunset moves from about 7:30 PM in September to around 5:30 PM in November.
With less sunshine, you’ll need to plan your outdoor time more carefully. If you love outdoor activities, early fall gives you longer, sunnier days.
Later in the season, shorter days and more clouds limit your daylight adventures.
Wind and UV Index in Autumn
Autumn in Bishkek brings moderate wind conditions and steadily weaker sunlight as winter approaches.
You’ll notice changes in wind and UV index from September to November, and both can affect how you feel outside.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds in Bishkek during fall usually stay light to moderate. Average speeds hover between 2–4 m/s (4–9 mph), so you’ll feel a gentle breeze but nothing too wild.
Open areas or the foothills can get slightly stronger gusts, especially in October when weather patterns shift more often.
Inside the city, trees and buildings block most of the wind, so it feels calmer.
By November, the air gets colder, and even the same breeze feels sharper. A light jacket or windbreaker really helps if you’re out and about.
UV Index Levels and Sun Safety
In Bishkek, the UV index drops steadily throughout autumn. September still brings moderate values (around 4–5 at midday), so if you’re outside for a while, you’ll probably want sunglasses and sunscreen.
By October, numbers usually fall to low to moderate (2–3). The sunburn risk isn’t much to worry about, but if you’re at higher elevations or spending hours outdoors, it’s still smart to protect your skin.
In November, the UV index sits at low (1–2). Sun exposure doesn’t pose much of a problem then, although clear skies can cause some glare. You might find UV-protective sunglasses handy, especially since snow sometimes appears in the nearby mountains and bounces sunlight right back at you.
Weather Forecasts and Data Sources
Having accurate weather info really helps when you’re planning for Bishkek’s fall. The temperatures can change fast, and rainfall patterns aren’t always predictable.
Reliable forecasts and long-term climate data let you figure out what to expect—whether you’re visiting or just going about your day.
How to Access Reliable Weather Forecasts
You can check short-term forecasts from places like the Kyrgyz Hydrometeorological Service, or international sites like weather.com and various global climate databases. These sources give you daily temperature ranges, chances of rain, and wind conditions so you can plan your outdoor time.
A lot of mobile apps show hourly forecasts, which come in handy during autumn. The weather can flip on you—maybe it’s sunny in the morning, and then you get rain by afternoon. It’s worth checking updates during the day.
If you compare a few different sources, you’re less likely to get caught off guard by outdated info. Local news stations usually include extra regional details that you won’t find on international forecasts.
When you head into the mountains outside Bishkek, local agencies really shine. Their forecasts matter because higher elevations get snow earlier and nights can turn cold fast.
Understanding Local Weather Data
Weather data for Bishkek covers temperature, rainfall, humidity, and daylight hours. In autumn, average highs start at about 21°C in September and drop to around 6°C by November. Rainfall goes down a bit as winter gets closer.
You’ll want to keep an eye on both monthly averages and daily variations. Sure, averages give you the big picture, but daily numbers can catch those sudden cold snaps or storms that might mess up your plans.
The national meteorological service usually tracks historical climate records, which gives you some context for what’s normal right now. If you know October brings 10–11 rainy days, you can pack better, right?
Tables and charts make this stuff a lot easier to read. Plenty of websites let you compare previous years, so you can pick a drier or milder week if you’re planning a trip.