The view from "Kok Tube" across the southern part of Almaty toward the Tien Shan range. One can see a little of the air pollution common in Almaty, due to automobile/bus/truck exhaust and a very still air mass.

The atmospheric circulation in Almaty is even more stagnant that Los Angeles', with a similar result. Los Angeles is bordered by a semi-circle of mountains, as is Almaty. The only difference is that on the other side Los Angeles has the ocean, while Almaty has the steppe.