Akhaltsikhe Weather
Akhaltsikhe weather is that of a sunny, dry basin. At ~1,030 m and sheltered by mountains on most sides, the town gets only about 530 mm of rain annually. August afternoons top out near 30 °C (86 °F), yet nights fall to around 14 °C (57 °F); in January nights average -7 °C (19 °F), and snow usually covers the ground from about December to February. June and September are the best months for Rabati Castle and trips to Vardzia and Sapara Monastery.
Akhaltsikhe weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.640° N, 42.986° E, 1,030 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 | 3° | −7° | 22 mm | 5 | 40% | 9.5 h | 08:33–18:01 |
| February | 6° | −6° | 24 mm | 6 | 40% | 10.6 h | 08:05–18:40 |
| March | 12° | −2° | 36 mm | 7 | 40% | 11.9 h | 07:22–19:13 |
| April | 17° | 2° | 49 mm | 9 | 41% | 13.3 h | 06:30–19:47 |
| May | 22° | 7° | 76 mm | 12 | 39% | 14.5 h | 05:49–20:19 |
| June | 26° | 11° | 75 mm | 11 | 36% | 15.2 h | 05:33–20:43 |
| July | 29° | 14° | 58 mm | 8 | 36% | 14.9 h | 05:46–20:42 |
| August | 30° | 14° | 52 mm | 8 | 31% | 13.9 h | 06:16–20:10 |
| September | 25° | 9° | 40 mm | 6 | 27% | 12.5 h | 06:47–19:20 |
| October | 19° | 5° | 42 mm | 7 | 30% | 11.2 h | 07:19–18:29 |
| November | 11° | −1° | 31 mm | 5 | 35% | 9.9 h | 07:56–17:49 |
| December | 5° | −5° | 25 mm | 6 | 38% | 9.2 h | 08:28–17:39 |
| Year | 17° | 3° | 530 mm | 90 | 36% |
Temperatures, rain and rain days are the official 1991–2020 averages of the Akhaltsikhe 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.
Akhaltsikhe weather through the year
SpringMar–May
March warms quickly in the basin, to about 12 °C by day, though nights are still frosty at around -2 °C. April reaches 17 °C and May 22 °C, with May also the wettest month at about 76 mm on 12 days. Spring is a good season for Sapara Monastery in its wooded side valley and for Atskuri Fortress above the Mtkvari, while the hills are green.
Highs 12° to 22° · lows −2° to 7° · 161 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June, at 26 °C, is one of the two best months. July and August are hot in the afternoon, about 29 to 30 °C, but the dry air lets nights drop to 14 °C. Expect about eight rainy days a month, usually as afternoon showers. Visit Rabati's walls in the morning or evening, when the stone is cooler and the light softer, and keep midday for lunch in the shade.
Highs 26° to 30° · lows 11° to 14° · 185 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is the clearest month (27% cloud) and arguably the finest: about 25 °C by day and 9 °C at night, with only about six rainy days. October stays bright at 19 °C, but nights fall to around 4 °C. November is cold and quiet, with highs of 11 °C and the first freezing nights.
Highs 11° to 25° · lows −1° to 9° · 113 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter in the basin is cold and dry. January has average highs near 3 °C and lows near -7 °C, and with only 22 to 25 mm of precipitation a month from December to February, many days are clear. In a typical winter snow lies from December through February. Rabati looks its best on a crisp, sunny day, but the road south to Vardzia can be icy, so allow extra time.
Highs 3° to 6° · lows −7° to −5° · 71 mm rain
Best time to visit Akhaltsikhe
The best time to visit Akhaltsikhe is June or September, with warm days of 25 to 26 °C, cool nights and little rain. May is good too, green and fresh, but it is the wettest month. Akhaltsikhe weather by month points the same way for day trips to Vardzia, Sapara and Abastumani. July and August are fine for sightseeing in the cooler morning and evening hours. Winter is cold but often bright, a quiet time to see Rabati Castle without crowds.
Dry air and a sheltered basin give the weather in Akhaltsikhe big swings between day and night. August pairs an average high of about 30 °C with a low of about 14 °C, a gap of 16 degrees; in September it is 25 °C against 9 °C. The practical result: a T-shirt for the afternoon at Rabati but a jacket for dinner outdoors, and on a spring or autumn trip, frost on the windscreen in the morning.
What to pack for Akhaltsikhe
- Jacket for nights 15 degrees colder than the day
- Sun hat for the open ramparts of Rabati
- Warm hat and gloves for -7 °C winter nights
- Comfortable shoes for Rabati's steps and slopes
- Water for the hot drive to Vardzia
Akhaltsikhe weather: FAQ
Do you need a jacket in Akhaltsikhe in summer?
For the evenings, yes. The dry basin loses heat fast after dark: July and August nights average about 14 °C (57 °F), even after afternoons close to 30 °C (86 °F). June and September nights average 11 °C (52 °F) and 9 °C (48 °F), so a fleece or light jacket earns its place in the bag.
What is the driest time of year in Akhaltsikhe?
Winter. January averages only about 22 mm and February 24 mm. Among the warmer months, September and October are the driest, with about 40 mm each and six or seven rainy days, which makes early autumn the most reliable season for sightseeing. May, at about 76 mm, is the wettest month.
Is Akhaltsikhe a good base for Vardzia in winter?
It works, with care. Vardzia, about 60 km south, is colder than Akhaltsikhe, with January nights near -10 °C (14 °F) against about -7 °C (19 °F), and the canyon road can be icy after snow. Leave in daylight, drive slowly and ask locally whether the paths at the site are clear before setting off.
What is the weather like at Rabati Castle in August?
Hot and bright in the afternoon: Akhaltsikhe's August highs are about 30 °C (86 °F) with cloud cover near 31%, and the courtyards and walls give little shade. Come in the morning or after 17:00, when the stone has cooled; sunset, at about 20:10, lights up the domes and the town below.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Akhaltsikhe and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Akhaltsikhe
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Akhaltsikhe every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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