Kazakhstan is bracing for a sharp temperature drop and severe winter conditions this week.

According to the meteorological service, the country will face snow, blizzards, ice-slick roads and dense fog as a cold Arctic air mass moves in, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Temperatures are expected to plunge starting December 9, falling from -13…-18°C to -20…-25°C across much of the country.

The cold spell will be most severe in several regions:

Kostanay and Akmola: -22…-27°C, locally down to -30°C on December 9-10.

Pavlodar: temperatures dropping from -20…-25°C to -25…-30°C on December 9-11.

Karaganda: frosts strengthening from -15…-20°C to -22…-32°C on December 9-10.

East Kazakhstan: -25…-30°C expected on December 10-11.

Kazhydromet urges citizens to stay alert, monitor updates, and be cautious on the roads as winter conditions intensify nationwide.