Unusual heatwave sets new temperature record in Kazakhstan, surpassing the 1942 mark.
In the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan experienced a dramatic shift in weather patterns during July 2025, deviating significantly from normal conditions. The month was marked by sharp regional contrasts, with heavy rains and storms in the north and central areas contrasting starkly with persistent extreme heat and dryness in the south and west.
The weather station in Semei recorded a scorching temperature of +37°C (98.6°F) on July 27, while stations in Shymkent and Kyzylorda saw even higher temperatures. On July 20, Shymkent reached a staggering +42.5°C (108.5°F), and just three days later, on July 23, Kyzylorda recorded an equally impressive +40.6°C (105.1°F). The weather station in Shymkent also recorded a new five-day high of +43.7°C (110.7°F) on July 22.
Meanwhile, the north and central regions of the country experienced heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail, and squally winds. The weather station in Kushmurun, located in the Kostanay region, received an impressive 82 mm of rainfall on July 31, more than double the norm of 41 mm. The North Kazakhstan region's weather station in Sergeevka received 66 mm of rainfall on July 28, just above the monthly norm of 62 mm.
Despite these localized heavy precipitation events, the average monthly temperature in Nur-Sultan was +21.9°C (71.4°F), 1.3°C (2.3°F) above the norm of +20.6°C (69.1°F). The total rainfall for the month in Nur-Sultan was 50 mm, below the norm of 56 mm.
The unusual weather patterns in Kazakhstan were driven by atmospheric conditions such as cyclones and anticyclones, causing abrupt changes during the month. These abnormal synoptic conditions resulted in periods of heavy storm activity contrasted by periods of intense heat.
The surrounding region, including Turkmenistan, also saw similar weather patterns. July 2025 was among the five hottest Julys ever recorded in Turkmenistan, with average temperatures notably above long-term norms, suggesting a regional heat trend affecting Central Asia but with variations in local maxima and average conditions.
In summary, July 2025 weather in Kazakhstan deviated from norms primarily through its sharp regional contrasts: heavy rains and storms in northern and central areas versus persistent extreme heat and dryness in southern and western parts, with temperature peaks reaching up to 38°C in some western/southern regions. This combination of extreme heat records and localized heavy precipitation events marks a significant departure from typical July weather patterns in Kazakhstan.
The unusual weather patterns in Kazakhstan during July 2025 can be attributed to the field of environmental science and climate-change, as the abnormal synoptic conditions resulted in periods of heavy storm activity contrasted by periods of intense heat, deviating significantly from normal conditions. The extreme temperature peaks and localized heavy precipitation events in Kazakhstan could have potential impacts on the weather and climate in the surrounding regions, highlighting the interconnectedness of the global environment.
