Kvareli Weather
Kvareli weather is shaped by the Caucasus wall rising straight behind the town. At ~450 m on the north side of the Alazani valley, Kvareli has hot summers, with August highs of about 32 °C (90 °F), and mild winters in which snow seldom settles. It is also wetter than most of Kakheti, with about 959 mm of rain a year, much of it falling in May and June. September and October, harvest and cellar season, are the most pleasant months.
Kvareli weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.950° N, 45.815° E, 450 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 | 8° | 0° | 41 mm | 7 | 35% | 9.4 h | 08:22–17:49 |
| February | 9° | 1° | 51 mm | 7 | 39% | 10.6 h | 07:54–18:28 |
| March | 13° | 4° | 68 mm | 10 | 44% | 11.9 h | 07:11–19:02 |
| April | 19° | 9° | 96 mm | 10 | 44% | 13.3 h | 06:18–19:36 |
| May | 24° | 14° | 130 mm | 13 | 40% | 14.5 h | 05:37–20:09 |
| June | 29° | 18° | 127 mm | 11 | 28% | 15.2 h | 05:20–20:33 |
| July | 32° | 21° | 84 mm | 7 | 18% | 15.0 h | 05:34–20:31 |
| August | 32° | 21° | 77 mm | 7 | 18% | 13.9 h | 06:04–19:59 |
| September | 27° | 17° | 100 mm | 7 | 22% | 12.6 h | 06:36–19:09 |
| October | 20° | 11° | 77 mm | 8 | 32% | 11.2 h | 07:08–18:17 |
| November | 13° | 5° | 66 mm | 7 | 34% | 9.9 h | 07:46–17:37 |
| December | 9° | 2° | 42 mm | 6 | 34% | 9.2 h | 08:17–17:26 |
| Year | 19° | 10° | 959 mm | 100 | 32% |
Rain and rain days come from Kvareli's own weather station (daily records 1936-1992, 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.
Kvareli weather through the year
SpringMar–May
March is cool and grey, the cloudiest month (44%), with highs of about 13 °C. April warms to 19 °C and the vines begin to bud on the lower slopes. May is the wettest month, about 130 mm on 13 days, often as heavy afternoon showers building over the mountains. Fresh, green and quiet, spring is good for Nekresi Monastery and Gremi Citadel before the summer heat.
Highs 13° to 24° · lows 4° to 14° · 294 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June still brings a lot of rain (about 127 mm), but by July the sky clears: July and August have just 18% cloud and highs of about 32 °C, with warm nights near 21 °C. Sightseeing is best done early. The Kvareli Wine Tunnel, dug deep into the mountainside, stays cool all year and makes a good midday refuge, and Kvareli Lake is pleasant around sunset.
Highs 29° to 32° · lows 18° to 21° · 288 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is harvest month, when Rtveli fills the family cellars: afternoons around 27 °C and nights near 17 °C. Rain falls on only about seven days, but in heavy bursts that add up to around 100 mm, so keep a spare day. October is softer, with 20 °C afternoons and golden vineyards. November cools to 13 °C, and night frost is still rare in the valley.
Highs 13° to 27° · lows 5° to 17° · 243 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winters are mild for a town under the high Caucasus. In January highs average about 8 °C and lows hover around 0 °C, and any snow in town rarely lasts more than a day or two, while the peaks behind stay white. December and January are the driest months, about 41 to 42 mm each, so winter is a dry, quiet and calm time for tastings and the wine tunnel.
Highs 8° to 9° · lows 0° to 2° · 134 mm rain
Best time to visit Kvareli
The best time to visit Kvareli is mid-September to October, and Kvareli weather by month makes the case: this is Rtveli, the grape harvest, with warm days (27 °C in September, 20 °C in October) and fewer rainy days than spring. May and early June are also lovely, green and not yet hot, but expect frequent showers. July and August suit early starts and cellar visits more than long walks. Winter is mild and calm: fine for the wine tunnel and Gremi, less so for walks up the slopes.
The main ridge of the Greater Caucasus climbs steeply just north of Kvareli, and air drifting across the Alazani valley is forced up its slopes, cooling and shedding rain. This is why the weather in Kvareli is wetter than across the valley: about 959 mm a year, about 200 mm more than Telavi. In late spring, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and keep afternoons free for a cellar, as showers often build over the slopes after midday.
What to pack for Kvareli
- Sun hat and sunscreen for 32 °C vineyard afternoons
- A warm layer for the chilly wine tunnel
- Rain jacket for May and June downpours
- Old shoes for muddy harvest days in the vineyards
- Light, breathable clothes for July and August
Kvareli weather: FAQ
When is the grape harvest in Kvareli?
In most years picking starts in mid-September and runs into October, with dates set by the vintage and variety. The weather then suits a day in a family vineyard: about 27 °C (81 °F) in September afternoons, falling to 20 °C (68 °F) in October. Only seven or eight days in each of those months bring rain, but September showers can be heavy, so pack a light rain jacket.
How hot is Kvareli in July?
Hot. The average July high is about 32 °C (89 °F) and nights stay near 21 °C (70 °F), with only 18% cloud cover. Plan Gremi, Nekresi and vineyard walks for the morning, then spend the middle of the day underground in the wine tunnel or over a long lunch in the shade.
What can you do in Kvareli when it rains?
Head underground or indoors. The wine tunnel, cut into the mountain, keeps a steady cellar temperature whatever the weather, and family qvevri cellars host tastings under cover. The Ilia Chavchavadze house museum is another dry option. Rain is most likely in May and June, at about 130 mm and 127 mm, usually in afternoon bursts rather than all day.
Is Kvareli worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if wine is the goal. Daytime January temperatures average about 8 °C (46 °F) and nights sit around 0 °C (32 °F); snow rarely settles in town. Cellars, the wine tunnel and Gremi are all comfortable, the crowds are gone, and on clear days the snowy peaks above town make a fine backdrop for photos.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Kvareli and at a similar height.
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Kvareli every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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