Astana, 20 October. Kazhydromet issued warnings for 21 October in 17 regions: forecasters expect rain and snow, strong winds, fog and night frosts, with the worst weather in the north and east of the country.
In Pavlodar, Akmola, North Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan regions and Abai region the wind will strengthen to 23–29 m/s, with snow and rain in places and possible ice and blizzards; in some regions the wind may reach 30 m/s. Frosts are expected in the south and south-east: night temperatures will fall to −1°C in Almaty and Turkestan regions and to −3°C in Zhambyl, Kyzylorda and Zhetysu regions. High and extreme fire danger persists in a number of regions. The contrast across the country is sharp: while the east is bracing for snow, Aktau will see up to +25°C.
The weather has already affected flights: a FlyArystan aircraft operating flight FS-7131 from Almaty to Pavlodar on 20 October turned back 300 km short of its destination and returned to Almaty. "The reason was the impossibility of de-icing the aircraft at Pavlodar airport. During the flight the weather forecast for Pavlodar worsened," the airline explained. The flight and the return flight FS-7132 were cancelled.
De-icing means spraying an aircraft with special fluid before departure in frost and snow: ice on the wings changes their aerodynamics, and taking off without treatment is dangerous. If it cannot be done at the destination airport, the aircraft cannot fly back, which is why the crew returns.
Background: Storm warnings were also in force on 20 October, when gusts of up to 28 m/s were forecast in Astana and the regions.
List of sources used: Zakon.kz, BES.media, Informburo, BES.media, Tengrinews
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
