11/06/2015
In the is arid in the vast steppe of the central-western plain, while it remains continental, but becomes moderately rainy (and snowy in winter) in the eastern hills and mountains.
Winter is cold, especially in the north: the average temperature in January is around 19.5/21 °F (-6/-7 °C) in the northernmost areas (the Aral Sea and the northern part of the Kzyl K*m Desert), while it's around freezing in the central cities of the ancient Silk Road (Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara), and goes up to 37.5/39 °F (3/4 °C) in the extreme south (see Termez). Summer is hot: the average in July goes from 79/80.5 °F (26/27) in the north, to 86 °F (30 °C) 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 center-south, where they alternate, with warmer air masses coming from the south. Sometimes different air masses clash, causing strong winds, for instance the warm winds blowing from the south-west, which can bring dust storms.
The rainfall amount is typical of a 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, rainfall increases, especially in the more exposed slopes. Summer is sunny, and it's the driest season across the country.
In the capital, Tashkent, sitting at 1,300 feet (400 meters) above sea level, the average temperature goes from 34.5 °F (1.5 °C) in January, to 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) in July. From the mountains located south of the city, a dry down-slope wind can blow throughout the year, and can 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, although usually less intense than in the past, for instance in January 1969 the temperature reached -20 °F (-29 °C), while a recent cold wave occurred in January 2008, when it touched -0.5 °F (-18 °C).
In spring, from March to early May, the 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 95/97 °F (35/36 °C) in July and August, but with peaks above 104 °F (40 °C).
Here are the average temperatures of Tashkent.