People say “all things being equal” but they rarely are, and that includes the seasons here in Kazakhstan.  To have four seasons is a treat. It tells you what time of year you are in without having to look at the calendar.  Here in Atyrau rain is infrequent, the air is dry, and the wind is dusty.  Summer consists of five hot months, at times scorching hot; Fall is one perfect cooler month; winter has five cold and bitter months, sub zero snow and ice covered; and spring brings one month of pure fresh breeze.