Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) Weather
Kazbegi weather is cooler and far snowier than most visitors expect from a village about three hours' drive from Tbilisi. Stepantsminda lies at about 1,740 m beneath Mount Kazbek, with July and August afternoons around 22 °C (72 °F) and January nights near -8 °C (18 °F). Snow usually covers the ground from November to March. July to September is hiking season, while winter rewards snow lovers who can plan around the pass.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 42.657° N, 44.645° E, 1,740 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 | 0° | −8° | 30 mm | 4 | 37% | 9.4 h | 08:29–17:51 |
| February | 1° | −7° | 33 mm | 5 | 38% | 10.5 h | 08:00–18:31 |
| March | 6° | −4° | 42 mm | 6 | 41% | 11.9 h | 07:16–19:07 |
| April | 10° | 1° | 88 mm | 10 | 44% | 13.3 h | 06:22–19:42 |
| May | 15° | 5° | 103 mm | 14 | 43% | 14.6 h | 05:40–20:15 |
| June | 19° | 9° | 113 mm | 14 | 39% | 15.3 h | 05:23–20:40 |
| July | 22° | 11° | 112 mm | 12 | 31% | 15.0 h | 05:36–20:38 |
| August | 22° | 11° | 92 mm | 10 | 30% | 14.0 h | 06:07–20:05 |
| September | 18° | 8° | 59 mm | 8 | 31% | 12.6 h | 06:40–19:14 |
| October | 13° | 3° | 49 mm | 7 | 34% | 11.1 h | 07:13–18:21 |
| November | 6° | −3° | 36 mm | 5 | 35% | 9.8 h | 07:52–17:40 |
| December | 1° | −6° | 28 mm | 5 | 35% | 9.1 h | 08:24–17:29 |
| Year | 11° | 2° | 785 mm | 100 | 37% |
Rain and rain days come from Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)'s own weather station (daily records 1955-1992, NOAA GHCN-Daily). Temperatures are estimated for this spot from 1991–2020 station averages and a 1 km climate model (CHELSA). 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.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring is late and muddy in the Tergi valley. March highs are about 6 °C with frost most nights, and April, the cloudiest month, can still bring snow. May warms to about 15 °C but delivers about 103 mm of rain on 14 days. The path up to Gergeti Trinity Church often keeps patches of snow into May, and Orthodox Easter services there are memorable if the sky cooperates.
Highs 6° to 15° · lows −4° to 5° · 233 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
Summer surprises anyone scanning the Kazbegi weather by month. The two warmest months, July and August, average about 22 °C in the afternoon and 11 °C overnight, but are also wet: about 112 mm falls in July, often as afternoon thunderstorms that wrap Kazbek in cloud. June is the wettest month of all, about 113 mm on 14 days. August has the clearest skies, around 30% cloud, and the best odds of a summit view.
Highs 19° to 22° · lows 9° to 11° · 317 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is many hikers' favourite month: highs about 18 °C, only eight rain days and settled skies. October turns crisp, about 13 °C by day and near 3 °C at night, and the slopes below Gergeti turn gold. Snow can fall in October and usually settles in November, when highs drop to about 6 °C. Pack for winter from late October onward.
Highs 6° to 18° · lows −3° to 8° · 144 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter is cold, white and quiet. December to February highs hover around 0 to 1 °C and nights fall to about -6 to -8 °C. Precipitation is surprisingly low, about 28 to 33 mm a month on only four or five days, so clear, frosty days are common. The catch is the road: the Jvari Pass closes repeatedly in snow, so keep a spare day in hand.
Highs 0° to 1° · lows −8° to −6° · 91 mm rain
Best time to visit Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
The best time to visit Kazbegi is July and August for the warmest days and the clearest views of Kazbek, or September for steadier weather and fewer people. Walks to the Gergeti Glacier viewpoint, Juta and the Truso Valley are mostly free of snow in these months. Late spring is green but wet, and the high trails still hold snow. For a winter trip, from December to March, plan a buffer day and choose a driver who follows the pass bulletins.
Stepantsminda sits north of the main Caucasus ridge, behind the Jvari Pass, and that position shapes the weather in Kazbegi. It gets roughly half the precipitation of Gudauri across the pass, and its winter skies are clearer. But the road over the pass shuts several times every winter, chiefly between December and April, in some years as early as mid-November or as late as early May. Build a spare day into any cold-season visit.
What to pack for Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
- A rain shell for afternoon storms in June and July
- A warm fleece for summer nights around 11 °C
- Hiking boots for the climb to Gergeti Trinity Church
- Microspikes for icy paths from November to April
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for snow glare at altitude
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) weather: FAQ
Can you drive to Kazbegi in winter?
Mostly, but not always. The Georgian Military Road is kept open all year, yet the high section from Gudauri across the Jvari Pass to Kobi shuts repeatedly for heavy snow or avalanche danger, mostly from December to April. Closures can last from hours to a few days, so check road status before leaving Tbilisi and keep your plans flexible.
Does it snow in Kazbegi in October?
It can. October highs average about 13 °C (55 °F) and nights about 3 °C (37 °F), so early snowfalls are possible, especially late in the month, though they usually melt in the village within a day or two. Higher up, around Gergeti Trinity Church and the glacier, snow often stays from October onward.
How cold is Kazbegi at night in summer?
Cooler than most visitors pack for. July and August nights average about 11 °C (52 °F) in Stepantsminda, and on the walk to Gergeti or the glacier it is colder still. A fleece and a light down jacket are worth carrying even in August, along with a rain shell for the frequent afternoon storms.
When is the best time to hike to Gergeti Trinity Church?
From June to October, when the trail is usually clear of snow. Go early, because summer afternoons often bring storms and cloud over Kazbek, while mornings tend to be clearer. September is ideal, with highs of about 18 °C (64 °F) and fewer rain days. In winter the path is icy, so take a 4x4 up the road instead.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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