Akhalkalaki Weather
Akhalkalaki weather is set by the high Javakheti plateau. At ~1,700 m on open volcanic grassland, January days average about -1 °C (30 °F) and nights -11 °C (12 °F), and snow usually lies from November to March. Summer is short and bright, with August highs of about 25 °C (77 °F) but cool 9 °C (49 °F) nights. June to September is the comfortable window for Kumurdo Cathedral, the canyon-edge fortress and the plateau lakes.
Akhalkalaki weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.408° N, 43.485° E, 1,700 m, updated through the day: data from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). The monthly averages below are long-term climate, not a forecast.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain | Rain days | Cloud cover | Daylight | Sunrise–sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −1° | −11° | 31 mm | 7 | 38% | 9.5 h | 08:30–17:59 |
| February | 0° | −11° | 27 mm | 6 | 39% | 10.6 h | 08:02–18:38 |
| March | 5° | −5° | 38 mm | 7 | 40% | 11.9 h | 07:20–19:12 |
| April | 12° | 0° | 51 mm | 9 | 41% | 13.3 h | 06:28–19:45 |
| May | 17° | 4° | 85 mm | 13 | 39% | 14.5 h | 05:48–20:16 |
| June | 21° | 7° | 80 mm | 11 | 33% | 15.1 h | 05:32–20:41 |
| July | 25° | 9° | 64 mm | 9 | 26% | 14.9 h | 05:45–20:39 |
| August | 25° | 9° | 47 mm | 8 | 23% | 13.9 h | 06:14–20:08 |
| September | 22° | 5° | 38 mm | 6 | 24% | 12.5 h | 06:45–19:18 |
| October | 16° | 2° | 41 mm | 7 | 29% | 11.2 h | 07:16–18:27 |
| November | 9° | −4° | 31 mm | 6 | 34% | 9.9 h | 07:54–17:48 |
| December | 2° | −9° | 31 mm | 6 | 36% | 9.2 h | 08:25–17:37 |
| Year | 13° | 0° | 564 mm | 95 | 34% |
Temperatures, rain and rain days are the official 1991–2020 averages of the Akhalkalaki weather station (World Meteorological Organization climate normals, published by NOAA). Cloud cover: CHELSA 1981–2010. Daylight and sunrise are for the 15th of each month (Georgia keeps UTC+4 all year). A rain day has at least 1 mm.
Akhalkalaki weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring is late and brief. March still swings between about 5 °C in the afternoon and -5 °C before dawn, and April nights hover around freezing even as afternoons reach 12 °C. The snow cover usually melts by early April, and the grass greens in May, which is also the wettest month (about 85 mm on 13 days). Roads can be icy into April, so time early-spring drives for the middle of the day.
Highs 5° to 17° · lows −5° to 4° · 174 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June, at 21 °C, and July, at 25 °C, are pleasant, and August is the warmest and clearest month, about 25 °C by day with 23% cloud. Nights stay cool, around 7 to 9 °C, so a jacket is needed after sunset. Rain falls on eight to eleven days a month in summer, mostly in passing showers rather than long wet spells.
Highs 21° to 25° · lows 7° to 9° · 191 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is fresh and clear (24% cloud), around 22 °C by day but close to 5 °C at night. October highs fall to 16 °C and nights to near freezing, and by November, with highs of 9 °C and nights of -4 °C, the first snow is usually on its way. Autumn light on the canyon and the old fortress is lovely, but pack winter layers from October.
Highs 9° to 22° · lows −4° to 5° · 110 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter weather in Akhalkalaki is long and cold. From December to February average highs hover between -1 and 2 °C and lows between -9 and -11 °C, and snow covers the plateau for most of that time. Precipitation is light, around 30 mm a month, so cold, clear days are common. Plateau roads, including the one past Paravani Lake to Tbilisi, can be icy or blocked by drifting snow.
Highs −1° to 2° · lows −11° to −9° · 89 mm rain
Best time to visit Akhalkalaki
The best time to visit Akhalkalaki is June to September. Days of 21 to 25 °C make the plateau pleasant for Kumurdo Cathedral, the fortress above the canyon and day trips to Vardzia (lower and warmer) or Paravani Lake (higher and cooler). July and August are the warmest months, September the most settled. May is green but wet and chilly, with nights near 4 °C. Akhalkalaki weather by month leaves November to March for those ready for serious cold and possibly snowbound roads.
Akhalkalaki's frost-free season is short. Average night temperatures stay below freezing for six months, from November to April, and reach only about 9 °C at the height of summer, which is why potatoes and hay, not vines, are what grow around here. For visitors, frost is the thing to plan around: black ice on shaded stretches of plateau road on spring and autumn mornings, and real winter clothing from October onwards.
What to pack for Akhalkalaki
- Windproof jacket for the exposed plateau
- Warm hat and gloves from October to April
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for high-altitude sun
- A fleece for 9 °C midsummer nights
- Boots with grip for icy winter streets
Akhalkalaki weather: FAQ
How cold does Akhalkalaki get in winter?
Very cold by Georgian standards. January, the coldest month, has average highs of about -1 °C (30 °F) and lows of -11 °C (12 °F), and February is barely milder. The plateau is normally under snow from November until March. Days are often clear, but at night the plateau is properly frozen, so dress in serious winter layers.
When does summer start on the Javakheti plateau?
Not until June. In Akhalkalaki, May afternoons average only about 17 °C (63 °F), with nights dropping to roughly 4 °C (39 °F), with rain on about 13 days. June brings 21 °C (70 °F) afternoons, and July and August, at about 25 °C (77 °F), are the real summer. By late September nights are cold again.
Is October too late to visit Akhalkalaki?
Early October is fine: highs average about 16 °C (60 °F), skies are mostly clear (29% cloud) and rain falls on about seven days. Nights, though, drop to around 1 to 2 °C (34 to 36 °F), and frost becomes common as the month goes on. Pack winter layers and plan drives for the daylight hours.
Can you drive to Akhalkalaki in winter?
Usually, yes, with winter tyres and some patience. Plateau roads can be icy from November to April, and after snowstorms drifting snow slows traffic. The road from Tbilisi via Tsalka crosses the plateau past Paravani Lake at over 2,000 m; the longer route via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe stays lower for most of the way and is often the easier winter choice.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Akhalkalaki every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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