Kazhydromet warned residents of Astana, Almaty, and 7 other cities

"On February 18, 2025, unfavorable meteorological conditions leading to air pollution are expected in the cities of Pavlodar, Karaganda, Temirtau, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semey, Ridder, Aktobe, Almaty, and Astana," the statement says.

Unfavorable meteorological conditions (UMC) are weather phenomena that contribute to the accumulation of harmful substances in the air. These usually include calm winds, weak winds, fog, or temperature inversion, which cause pollutant emissions to be trapped near the ground, worsening air quality.