Page 50 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

CLIMATE

Uzbekistan: 7TVP ?`]VXPYT^_LY @eMPVT^_LY T^ XZ^_Wd ʮL_ LYO ZYWd RTaP^ bLd _Z XZ`Y_LTY^
at the eastern border with Kyrgyzstan. This results in a continental climate with a strong
OTʬP]PYNP MP_bPPY ^`XXP] LYO bTY_P] 4_ T^ YZ_ `YSPL]O ZQ QZ] ^`XXP] _PX[P]L_`]P^ _Z
spike up to 90 degrees—or even higher during a heat wave—or for winter lows to drop to
freezing. Uzbekistan’s climate is sometimes compared with the U.S. plains states, like Kansas,
Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Turkmenistan: 8Z^_ ZQ _SP NZ`Y_]d T^ ʮL_ LYO O]dɨOP^P]_^ LYO O`YP^ L]P []ZXTYPY_ PcNP[_
along the low mountains to the Southeast. Summers are hot and dry, and can last from May
through September. This is especially true in the capital city of Ashgabat, which is wedged
in between the Kara-Kum Desert and the low mountains. Because of this location, Ashgabat
can experience very high temperatures in the height of summer (past 100 degrees). Winters
in the capital tend to be mild, with average temperatures in the 50s, and occasional dips
below freezing.

Tajikistan: Tajikistan’s summers have been described as “scorching”. The highs can easily be
in the 90s or higher. Spring and fall are far more pleasant, with temperatures in the range of
40-60 degrees, while winter lows usually hover around the 30s. Snowfall is a possibility, but
rain is more common, with April and May being the rainiest months.

Kazakhstan: -TRRP] _SLY _SP Z_SP] ɭ>_LY^ɮ NZXMTYPO 6LeLVS^_LY NZaP]^ L WZ_ ZQ OTʬP]PY_
terrain. But the areas we’ll visit fall into southeastern Kazakhstan, near the Kyrgyzstan border.
In this region high temperatures tend to be in the 60s in spring and fall, summer highs are
usually in the 80s, and winter highs generally stay in the 30s or 40s. Winter can be very cold,
with temperatures below freezing and some snow. The wettest months are in April and May.

Kyrgyzstan: Roughly 65% of the country falls into either the Pamir or the Tian Shan mountain
ranges, resulting in a colder climate than some of the neighboring countries (especially up at
high elevations). Bishkek has a humid continental climate that is similar to the Mid-Atlantic
States—think cold winters with some snow, and warm, humid summers. Lake Issyk-Kul is
higher in elevation, so the average temperature is even colder, with below freezing winters and
snowfall from October through April. In summer, the high temperatures are usually in the 80s
(Bishkek) or 70s (Lake Issyk-Kul).

Climate Averages & Online Forecast
?SP QZWWZbTYR NSL]_^ ]PʮPN_ _SP average climate as opposed to exact weather conditions. This
means they serve only as general indicators of what can reasonably be expected. An extreme
heat wave or cold snap could fall outside these ranges. As your departure approaches, we
encourage you to go online to www.oattravel.com/myaccount for your 10-day forecast.

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