Astana, 28 October. Kazhydromet issued a storm warning for 16 regions of Kazakhstan for 29 October: forecasters expect night frosts down to −6°C in Almaty and Zhambyl regions, gusts of up to 15–20 m/s in the north, east and south, and fog in 11 regions, Zakon.kz reported.
Frosts of down to −3°C are forecast in Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions and down to −1°C in Zhetysu Region. In Zhambyl Region, according to the Kazinform agency, fog is expected in the mountains, where a north-easterly wind will blow at 15–20 m/s; at night the region will see 1 to 6 degrees of frost, and Taraz 1 to 3 degrees. In Abai Region fog is expected at night and in the morning in the west, north and centre, with gusts of up to 15–20 m/s in the north and centre during the day.
At the same time the west, south and centre of the country remain at high, and in places extreme, fire risk; a high risk of fires was also flagged in Almaty and Shymkent. This means dry grass and reeds can catch fire from any spark and the wind spreads the flames quickly: over the past week reeds and woodland have already burned in the country.
The weather in the coming days will be one of contrasts. According to Kazhydromet’s forecast for 29–31 October, a vast anticyclone is holding over the west of the country, where the last days of October will be warm and dry. In the north, east and the mountains of the southern regions, weather fronts will bring precipitation, mostly snow. At night temperatures will be below zero almost everywhere; in the daytime the air will warm to 0…+5°C, in places +5…+10°C, in the north, east and centre, and to +17…+22°C in the west and south.
What it means: The end of October brings Kazakhstan two dangers at once: night frost and fog in the south and east, and a high fire risk where it is dry and warm. The difference in daytime temperatures between the north and the west of the country reaches 20 degrees.
Background: Kazhydromet issues a storm warning when hazardous weather is expected — strong wind, frost, fog or high fire risk. A similar warning for 16 regions was in force on 26 October, when forecasters expected frosts of down to −11°C.
We have also reported that frosts of down to −11°C and three forest fires accompanied a storm warning for 16 regions.
