According to Kazhydromet forecasts, on July 19 almost all of Kazakhstan will experience contrasting weather: while some regions suffer from extreme heat, others will be hit by heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and squally wind, reports the website infohub.kz.
Rain with thunderstorms will cover most of the country. Storm warnings have been issued across Kazakhstan. In Astana, rain and thunderstorms are expected. In the Karaganda, Akmola, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, East Kazakhstan regions and the Abai Region, thunderstorms are forecast, with heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds of 20–25 m/s in places. In the Kyzylorda Region, a dust storm is expected during the day with heat up to 44 degrees, and in the Zhetysu Region on July 19–20, near the Alakol Lakes, the northeast wind will strengthen with gusts up to 23–28 m/s.
The most intense heat is expected in the south. In the Turkistan Region, temperatures will reach 45–48 degrees, in the Zhambyl Region 43–45 degrees. In the Almaty Region and Zhetysu Region, forecasters predict up to 40–45 degrees, in the Kyzylorda Region 40–44 degrees. In the Akmola, Pavlodar, Karaganda, East Kazakhstan regions, as well as the Abai and Ulytau regions, temperatures will rise to 35–39 degrees, locally up to 42 degrees.
Due to the abnormal heat, a high and extreme fire danger persists in most regions. Residents are urged to exercise caution, avoid lighting fires in the open, and refrain from prolonged exposure to the scorching sun. Earlier, forecasters had promised Kazakhs a cooling trend to +21 degrees in some regions.