Fall in Almaty really brings a noticeable shift in weather, and you’ll feel it right from the first days of September through the end of November. Average daily highs start out warm, close to 27°C (80°F), but by late fall, you’re looking at early-winter chills around 3°C (37°F).
Nights cool off even faster and often dip below freezing by November. You’ll find yourself swapping light jackets for heavy coats as the weeks go by.
The sky changes a lot too. Early in the season, you get plenty of sunny days, but cloud cover nearly triples by late fall. Rain showers pick up in September and October, and by November, the first snowfalls can quickly blanket the city and the nearby mountains.
Daylight shrinks by almost four hours over the season. Sunsets come earlier, and evenings stretch out. The cooler air and the chance of snow really make autumn in Almaty feel like a bridge between summer and winter.
Overview of Fall Weather in Almaty
Temperatures drop steadily in Almaty during fall. Days get shorter, and skies go from mostly clear to much cloudier. Rain and snow both become more common as the season moves along. The weather feels quite different from late summer.
Seasonal Temperature Changes
You’ll notice a big range in temperatures during fall. In early September, daytime highs hit about 80°F (27°C), but by late November, they’re down to 37°F (3°C). Nighttime lows follow the same path, falling from 53°F (12°C) in September to around 21°F (-6°C) by late November.
Freezing nights show up by October. Frost usually ends the growing season around mid-month. By late fall, snow starts to stick around. The change comes pretty fast, so you’ll want to be ready for both mild early weeks and much colder weather by the end.
This sharp temperature decline means you might enjoy warm afternoons in September, but by November, heavier clothing is a must. The contrast between early and late fall stands out as one of the most noticeable things about Almaty’s climate.
Typical Weather Patterns
As fall goes on, skies in Almaty get much cloudier. In early September, you get mostly clear or partly cloudy days about 85% of the time. By late November, overcast conditions rise to almost 50%, so the season feels more gray and muted.
Rain is most common in September, with about an 8% chance of a wet day. By November, snow replaces rain, and snowfall averages up to 3.9 inches (10 cm) over 31 days. Mixed precipitation days pop up more often in late fall.
Winds stay pretty light, moving from 6 mph in September to about 5.4 mph by November. Early fall winds are usually northerly, but they shift more southerly later on. Humidity stays low, so muggy days are rare.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Almaty feels a lot cooler and less sunny. Summer highs often reach the mid‑80s °F (around 29°C), but after early September, fall rarely gets that warm. Daylight drops fast, from over 13 hours in early September to just over 9 hours by late November.
Spring brings more rain, with heavier downpours and greener scenery. In fall, you get lighter, steadier precipitation and the first measurable snow. Trees lose their leaves, and the streets start to look bare.
Winter is colder and harsher, with average highs near 29°F (-2°C) in January. Fall really acts as a bridge between Almaty’s warm summers and long, snowy winters, offering a mix of mild days and hints of the cold season ahead.
Temperature Trends and Variations
In Almaty, fall brings a steady drop in temperature. Days get shorter, and nights become cooler. You can feel a clear difference between the warm start of the season and the chilly end.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
Daily highs in Almaty fall sharply as autumn goes on. Early September brings highs near 80°F (27°C), but by late November, you’re looking at 37°F (3°C). Lows drop from around 53°F (12°C) in early fall to about 21°F (-6°C) by the end.
You’ll get comfortable afternoons in September, but November brings chilly days and frequent freezing nights. Nights cool off more quickly than days, and frost becomes a regular thing as the season moves forward.
For reference:
- Warmest fall highs: early September, often above 75°F
- Coldest fall lows: late November, often below freezing
- Rare extremes: highs above 85°F or lows below 10°F aren’t common, but they can happen
Hourly Temperature Fluctuations
Within a single day, temperatures can swing quite a bit. In September, mornings start cool, then climb into the 70s by afternoon before dropping fast after sunset. By November, mornings might start below freezing, and afternoons only warm up a little.
You often see a 15–25°F swing between the night’s low and the afternoon high. As winter approaches, this range narrows a bit because cold air doesn’t hold heat as well.
The dew point stays low all fall, so the air feels dry even when it’s cold. That dryness means you won’t get muggy nights, and evenings feel crisp. Sometimes, it feels colder than the actual temperature.
End-of-Season Cooling
The biggest cool-down happens in October and November. By mid-October, freezing nights are common. In November, snow often mixes with rain. Average daily lows near 25°F (-4°C) mean you’ll wake up to frost on most mornings.
Daylight drops quickly too, losing nearly four hours from early September to late November. The shorter days limit afternoon warmth, which just adds to the steady cooling.
By the end of fall, Almaty shifts firmly toward winter. Nights below freezing become the norm, sunlight fades, and those mild autumn days turn into early winter chill.
Precipitation and Showers
Autumn in Almaty brings less rain than spring and summer, but showers still show up throughout the season. As temperatures drop in late fall, you’ll notice the first signs of winter precipitation.
Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall in Almaty during fall starts out moderate in September, then gets lighter by November. September still feels a bit like summer, with average precipitation close to 40–60 mm. By October, there’s less rain, and November usually brings totals under 30 mm.
Showers are more scattered than in spring. Heavy downpours are rare in autumn, so rain usually comes in quick bursts. That means outdoor plans aren’t as likely to get washed out, but you should still expect a few wet days each month.
The number of rainy days drops as fall goes on. You might get 8–10 wet days in September, but only 5–6 days in November. Rainfall amounts shrink, but the cooler air can make showers feel more persistent.
Chance of Showers
Your odds of running into rain in Almaty during fall depend on the month. In early September, there’s about a 20–25% chance of rain on any given day. By November, that drops to around 10–15%.
Most showers are light or moderate. Heavy rain doesn’t happen much in fall, and when it does, it usually doesn’t last long. Most showers pass in an hour or two, and then the sky clears up.
Cloud cover increases through the season. September still has plenty of sun, but October and November bring more gray days. Even without rain, the air can feel damp and chilly.
Onset of Snowfall
Snowfall usually starts in late October or early November. The first snow is often light and melts quickly, but by mid-November, snow showers become more regular. Accumulations stay modest until winter really sets in.
You can expect 1–3 snowy days in November, with less than 5 cm at a time. Snow picks up a lot in December, but in fall, it just marks the transition from rain to winter.
Almaty sits at the base of the Tian Shan mountains, so early snow can show up sooner at higher elevations. If you’re heading to the mountains in late fall, be ready for heavier and earlier snow than you’ll find in the city.
Humidity and Dew Point
During fall in Almaty, humidity and dew point change a lot as temperatures drop from early September warmth to late November cold. These shifts affect how the air feels and how fast it cools off at night.
Relative Humidity Levels
Humidity in Almaty rises throughout the fall. In September, average relative humidity sits near 47%, which feels pretty dry and comfortable. By October, it climbs to about 60%, and in November, it often hits 65–70%.
This happens because cool air holds less moisture, so the same amount of water vapor makes humidity seem higher. Even with little rain, the air can feel damp in late fall.
Mornings and evenings often feel more humid than afternoons, especially in valleys like Almaty’s. Higher humidity in late fall can make the cold feel sharper, especially when the wind picks up.
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| September | ~47% |
| October | ~58–60% |
| November | ~65–70% |
Dew Point Changes Through Fall
The dew point tells you how moist the air really is. In September, dew points average around 42°F (6°C), so the air feels dry and comfortable. As temperatures drop, dew points rise a bit, staying in the mid-30s°F (1–3°C) by October.
By November, dew points usually fall back into the upper 20s°F (-2 to -3°C). That means the air is drier, even if relative humidity is higher.
A higher dew point in early fall means nights feel mild, and you might see light condensation on surfaces. Later in the season, the lower dew point brings crisp, dry air and a better chance of frost on clear mornings.
If you spend time outside, these shifts matter. Dew points above 40°F are more comfortable for walking and hiking. Late fall’s lower dew points can make the air feel colder than the thermometer says.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
You’ll notice steady changes in how much of the sky is cloudy and how many daylight hours you get. Fall brings more overcast skies, shorter days, and less direct sunshine than summer.
Cloud Cover Trends
During September, Almaty’s skies are usually clear or partly cloudy. Only about 15% of days are mostly overcast at the start of the month. By November, that jumps to nearly 50%, making cloudy skies much more common.
Cooler air masses from the north and west bring in more moisture and clouds, especially in the foothills around the city.
As autumn goes on, you’ll see more gray days. Clear days become rare, and overcast conditions can last longer. That affects how the city feels and makes it seem colder than the temperature shows.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine isn’t as reliable in fall as it is in summer. In September, you might get 7–8 hours of bright sun per day on average. By November, that drops to about 3–4 hours.
Shorter days and more clouds both cut down on sunlight. Even on dry days, scattered clouds often block the sun for hours at a time.
If you want to be outside, September usually offers the best mix of warmth and light. By October and November, you’ll need to plan for fewer sunny stretches. For sightseeing, hiking, or photography, keep in mind that the light can change quickly and sunny windows get shorter.
Daylight Duration
Day length in Almaty shortens fast during autumn. In early September, you get about 13 hours of daylight.
By late November, the day drops to around 9 hours.
The city sits just below 44°N latitude, so you really notice the quick seasonal change. Sunrise creeps later every morning, and sunset keeps moving earlier.
If you’re planning your day, you’ll have less time for outdoor stuff after work or school. Visitors—if you want to hike in the mountains or take longer trips, it’s better to start early to catch the light.
Nighttime Weather Conditions
At night, Almaty’s fall weather brings colder air and drier conditions. As the season goes on, you’ll probably see more clouds overhead.
Temperatures drop fast after sunset. Humidity stays low, and skies might be clear in early fall but turn cloudier by late November.
Night Temperatures
Nighttime cools off in a hurry during fall, falling from about 53°F (12°C) in early September down to nearly 21°F (-6°C) by late November.
Early in the season, evenings just feel crisp, but later on, you’ll need a warm jacket for those freezing nights.
Sometimes, the coldest nights can even hit 8°F (-13°C), though that’s not the norm. The first frosts usually show up by late September or early October, so the growing season ends pretty quickly.
If you’re heading outside at night, keep in mind that temperatures can swing a lot between day and night. Even after a warm afternoon, the night might surprise you with how cold it feels once the sun disappears.
Overnight Humidity
Humidity at night stays low all fall. Dew points rarely get high enough for muggy or damp air, so you won’t feel sticky, even on those rare warm evenings.
The air just keeps getting drier through October and November. Honestly, that dry chill can make it feel colder than the numbers on the thermometer, especially if there’s a breeze.
Since the air’s dry, fog hardly ever forms at night in the fall. You might even notice the air feels cleaner, and if the clouds clear out, stargazing can be pretty great.
Typical Nighttime Cloudiness
Cloud cover steadily creeps up as fall goes on. In early September, you’ll usually find clear or partly cloudy nights, with open skies about 85% of the time.
By late November, things look different. Nights turn much cloudier, and overcast or mostly cloudy skies show up nearly half of the time.
You’ll probably notice fewer bright, starry nights as the season wears on. Cloudier weather also bumps up the odds of light precipitation, which might come as rain in September or switch over to snow by November.
Those late fall clouds can trap a bit of warmth, so temperatures don’t drop as sharply as they do on clear nights earlier in the season.