Index

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• Introduction
• Eastern cities - Tashkent, Fergana
• Southern plain - Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez
• Cold deserts - Aral Sea
• When to go
• What to pack

Introduction

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In Uzbekistan the climate is arid continental in the vast steppe plains of the central-western part, while it remains continental, but becomes moderately rainy (and snowy in winter) in eastern hills and mountains.
Winter is cold, especially in the north: the average temperature in January is around -5 °C in the northernmost areas (the Aral Sea and the northern part of the Kyzyl Kum Desert), while it's slightly above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) in the central cities of the ancient Silk Road (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara), and goes up to 5 °C (41 °F) in the extreme south (see Termez). Summer is hot: the average in July goes from 26/27 °C (79/81 °F) in the north, to 30 °C (86 °F) in the south. In the mountains of course the temperature decreases with altitude. Uzbekistan is exposed to cold air masses from Siberia, especially in the north-west, but also in the centre-south, where they alternate, however, with warmer air masses coming from the south. Clashes of different air masses can cause strong winds, for instance the warm wind blowing from the south-west, which can bring dust storms.
Precipitation is typical of the desert and semi-desert climate in the west, while it's slightly higher, typical of a semi-arid steppe climate, in the central-eastern part. In the mountains, precipitation increases, especially in the more exposed slopes. Summer is sunny, and it's the driest season across the country.

Eastern cities

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As mentioned, in the east of Uzbekistan there are hills and mountains.

Tashkent

In the capital, Tashkent, located in the east of the country, at 400 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, the average temperature goes from 2.5 °C (37 °F) in January, to 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) in July. From the mountains located south of the city, a dry down-slope wind can blow throughout the year, able to raise the temperature by several degrees. In recent decades, the winter temperature has increased by a few degrees, and also the summer temperature, but to a lesser extent, as happened in many countries of the former Soviet Union. During winter, however, snowfalls and cold waves are quite frequent, though usually less intense than in the past, for instance in January 1969 the temperature reached -29 °C (-20 °F), while during the more recent cold wave of January 2008, it touched -18 °C (0 °F).
In spring, from March to early May, clashes of air masses cause frequent winds, rain and jumps in temperature.
Summer, from June to August is sunny and hot, with highs generally around 35/36 °C (95/97 °F) in July and August, but with peaks above 40 °C (104 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Tashkent.

Precipitation, about 415 mm (16.5 in) per year, occurs mostly from November to May, while in summer it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

In Tashkent, and generally in Uzbekistan, the sun shines regularly in summer, while in winter it is not seen very often, however, some sunny day can always occur.

Fergana

In the easternmost part of the country, in Fergana, located in the valley of the same name, around 600 metres (2,000 feet) above sea level and surrounded by mountains, the climate is slightly colder.

In Fergana, precipitation is scarcer than in the capital: only 165 mm (6.5 in) per year. Here is the average precipitation.

Samarkand

Samarkand, the old city and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, at 700 metres (2,300 feet) above sea level, has also a climate similar to that of Tashkent, a little less hot in summer, due to the higher altitude. Annual precipitation is around 355 mm (14 in), slightly lower than in the capital, but it follows a similar pattern, with a maximum in winter and spring, and virtually no rain in summer.


The eastern part of Uzbekistan is home to several mountain ranges, such as the Pamir-Alaj, where the highest mountain in the country is found, Khazret Sultan, 4,643 metres (15,233 feet) high. More to the north, in the region of Tashkent, there is another mountainous area (the western Tien-Shan), where we find the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, which has a diverse landscape, with lakes, forests and canyons.

Southern plain

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In southern Uzbekistan we find a flat area, where the climate is slightly milder in winter, and warmer in summer compared to the eastern cities. The rains are very poor.

Bukhara

Bukhara is located practically in the plains, in the south-western desert zone, and in fact receives only 150 mm (6 in) of rain per year. The temperature is not very different from that of the cities already mentioned, but it's a bit hotter in summer: the average of January is 3.5 °C (38.5 °F), that of July is 29 °C (84 °F), with highs normally about 38 °C (100 °F). Despite the low precipitation amount, in winter the city may experience some light snowfalls.

Termez

In the far south, in Termez the average temperature is higher, going from 5 °C (41 °F) in January to 30.5 °C (87 °F) in July. Only 150 mm (6 in) of rain per year fall; although the average is fairly mild, in winter sometimes it snows, and even here intense frosts can occur. Summer is scorchingly hot, and in the worst moments the temperature can exceed 45 °C (113 °F).

Cold deserts

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In northwestern and central Uzbekistan we find desert and semi-desert areas, where the climate is characterized by very cold winters, with winter averages below freezing, and hot summers.
The central-western part of the country is occupied by the vast Kyzyl Kum Desert (or Qyzylqum), where the temperature can reach -30 °C (-22 °F) in winter and 50 °C (122 °F) in summer, while in the far west we find the Ustyurt Plateau, another desert area, which despite its name has an average altitude of around 200 metres (650 feet). The main river, Amu Darya, flows towards the west and eventually reaches the area of the Aral Sea, a large salt lake which was once fed by the river, but has shrunk over the decades, due to exploitation for agriculture, so that today the river opens into a large delta, which partly drains away in the desert, while in the south-west, a smaller lake, Sarygamysh, was born from a branch of the river.

Aral Sea

In the area that was once occupied by the southern part of the Aral Sea, in the north-west of the country (the rest of the lake is located in Kazakhstan), winter is definitely cold, so that the temperature remains below freezing even during the day, for weeks. Summer is a bit shorter and a bit cooler, around 34/35 °C (93/95 °F) during the day, even though the highest peaks exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Here are the average temperatures of Chimbay (or Chimboy).

When to go

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The best times to visit Uzbekistan are spring and autumn, to avoid the climate extremes to which the country is subject. In particular, you can choose April and October for most of the country (Tashkent, Samarkand, Fergana valley), and the periods from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October in the north-west (see the Aral Sea).

What to pack

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In winter: very warm clothes, down jacket, hat, scarf, gloves; some lighter clothes for mild days in the centre and south (see Tashkent, Ferghana, Samarqand, Bukhara, Termez).

In summer: lightweight clothes, loose-fitting and made of natural fabric (cotton or linen), sun hat, desert turban; a sweatshirt for the evening, especially in the north and in hill cities (see Tashkent, Samarqand, Ferghana). In the mountains, at intermediate altitudes, light clothes for the day, sun hat, sweatshirt and light jacket for the evening, hiking shoes; above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), sweater and jacket for the evening; above 4,000 metres (13,000 ft), down jacket, hat, gloves, scarf.
For women, it is best to avoid shorts and miniskirts.

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