Chiatura Weather
Chiatura weather is shaped by its gorge: the mining town lies at ~400 m in the deep canyon of the Kvirila river, where summer afternoons get hot and winter nights cold. August brings the peak heat, around 31 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon, while January nights dip to around -1 °C (30 °F). Rain is moderate for western Georgia, about 1,150 mm a year. Late spring and early autumn are the most comfortable times for the cable cars and the Katskhi Pillar.
Chiatura weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 42.290° N, 43.282° E, 400 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 | 7° | −1° | 108 mm | 12 | 48% | 9.4 h | 08:33–17:58 |
| February | 9° | −1° | 94 mm | 11 | 48% | 10.5 h | 08:05–18:38 |
| March | 14° | 3° | 100 mm | 12 | 48% | 11.9 h | 07:21–19:12 |
| April | 19° | 7° | 91 mm | 11 | 47% | 13.3 h | 06:28–19:47 |
| May | 24° | 12° | 91 mm | 11 | 44% | 14.6 h | 05:46–20:20 |
| June | 27° | 15° | 93 mm | 10 | 40% | 15.3 h | 05:29–20:44 |
| July | 30° | 18° | 78 mm | 9 | 34% | 15.0 h | 05:43–20:43 |
| August | 31° | 18° | 73 mm | 8 | 28% | 13.9 h | 06:13–20:10 |
| September | 27° | 15° | 86 mm | 8 | 29% | 12.6 h | 06:46–19:19 |
| October | 21° | 10° | 116 mm | 9 | 34% | 11.1 h | 07:18–18:27 |
| November | 14° | 4° | 110 mm | 10 | 41% | 9.8 h | 07:57–17:47 |
| December | 9° | 0° | 111 mm | 11 | 44% | 9.1 h | 08:29–17:35 |
| Year | 19° | 8° | 1,151 mm | 122 | 40% |
Estimated for this exact spot: 1991–2020 averages of the nearest weather stations, carried across the mountains and valleys with a 1 km climate model (CHELSA) and checked against more than 100 Georgian stations (typical error about 1 °C and 15% of the rain). 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.
Chiatura weather through the year
SpringMar–May
March is cool, about 14 °C by day and just above freezing at night. April reaches 19 °C and May 24 °C, with rain on 11 days in each month. May is the ideal time to ride the cable cars and climb to Mgvimevi Monastery, cut into the cliffs above town, before summer heat collects in the canyon.
Highs 14° to 24° · lows 3° to 12° · 282 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
This is the hottest season in the gorge. Afternoons warm from 27 °C in June to a peak of 31 °C by August, and nights stay near 18 °C. August is the driest, clearest month, about 73 mm of rain on eight days and roughly 28 percent cloud. Drive out to the Katskhi Pillar early in the morning, as by midday the canyon floor is baking.
Highs 27° to 31° · lows 15° to 18° · 244 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
Autumn brings the most settled weather in Chiatura. September is warm, 27 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C after dark, and rain comes on only eight days. October drops to 21 °C and turns wetter, the year's peak at about 116 mm. November brings highs of 14 °C and nights near 4 °C, and the colour on the canyon walls makes for good photos from the cable car cabins.
Highs 14° to 27° · lows 4° to 15° · 312 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winters are chilly and damp. Highs run from 7 to 9 °C, nights hover around 0 °C, and rain falls on 11 or 12 days a month. Frost is common, but snow rarely settles in town for long. Ubisa Monastery and Shorapani Fortress make easy stops on a winter drive from Kutaisi; wrap up warmly for the cable car rides.
Highs 7° to 9° · lows −1° to 0° · 313 mm rain
Best time to visit Chiatura
The best time to visit Chiatura is May, or September into October, when highs sit between 21 and 27 °C and the canyon is neither baking nor frosty. These months suit the cable cars, the walk to the Katskhi Pillar and a stop at Ubisa Monastery on the way from Kutaisi. June and August are fine if you start early. In winter, short days and near-freezing nights make it a brief day trip rather than an overnight stay.
Chiatura weather by month shows a wide gap between day and night, the mark of a deep canyon. In August, highs of about 31 °C fall to about 18 °C after dark, and in January a day of 7 °C drops to around -1 °C by morning, colder than Kutaisi, where average winter nights stay above freezing. From December to February, morning frost can make the steep streets and stairways slippery.
What to pack for Chiatura
- Sun hat for the hot canyon floor in summer
- Warm coat for frosty winter mornings
- Shoes with good soles for steep, icy stairways
- Light rain jacket for October, the wettest month
Chiatura weather: FAQ
Is Chiatura colder than Kutaisi in winter?
At night, yes. January lows average about -1 °C (30 °F) in Chiatura against roughly 3.5 °C (38 °F) in Kutaisi, so frost is common in the canyon. Daytime highs are also a little lower, about 7 °C (45 °F) against 9 °C (48 °F). Pack an extra layer if you come between December and February.
How hot does Chiatura get in summer?
The August average high is about 31 °C (88 °F), slightly hotter than Kutaisi, and July about 30 °C (86 °F). Nights cool to about 18 °C (64 °F). The canyon holds the heat through the afternoon, so ride the cable cars and walk around town in the morning or early evening.
When is the best time to see the Katskhi Pillar?
May, September and early October are ideal, with highs around 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F) and good visibility. Summer mornings work too. In winter low cloud is more frequent, about 48 percent cover in January against 28 percent in August, and the path may be icy after a frosty night.
Does it snow in Chiatura?
Snow falls on a few days in some winters, but it rarely lies in town for more than a day or two. Nights hover around freezing from December to February, near 0 °C (32 °F), so frost and icy mornings are more common than snowfall. A warm coat and good shoes are usually enough.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Chiatura and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Chiatura
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Chiatura every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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