The geographical situation of Kyrghyzstan determines the climatic conditions of the country.
Kyrgyzstan's climate is extremely diverse due largely to its mountainous landscape. Most of the country is temperate with little rainfall and lots of sunshine, but the south-western Ferghana Valley area is subtropical with very hot summers.
In the lowlands, the temperature ranges from around -6°C (21°F) in January to 24°C (75°F) in July. In the low-lying Fergana Valley of the south temperatures may peak as high as the low 40s in summer.
In the highlands, the temperatures range from between -20° (-4°F in January to 12°C (54°F) in July, although some high mountain valleys can drop as low as -30°C (-22°F) in winter.
Rainfall is fairly low throughout the country but there can be heavy snowfalls during winter. The area of mountains above the Fergana Valley is the wettest area of the country; the southwest shore of Lake Issyk-Kul is the driest part of Kyrgyzstan. March to May and October to November are usually the wettest months. There are heavy snowfalls during winter.
The best time to travel to Kyrgyzstan is between May and October as getting around outside this period can be difficult.