Mtskheta Weather
Mtskheta weather tracks Tbilisi's closely, a shade cooler and a little wetter, because the old capital lies only about 20 km upstream where the Aragvi joins the Mtkvari. August afternoons average about 31 °C (88 °F), January highs about 7 °C (45 °F), and roughly 580 mm of rain falls in a year. That makes it a half-day trip for any season, best in September and late spring, when walking between the churches is easiest.
Mtskheta weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.846° N, 44.719° E, 460 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° | 23 mm | 5 | 36% | 9.4 h | 08:26–17:53 |
| February | 8° | −1° | 28 mm | 6 | 39% | 10.6 h | 07:58–18:33 |
| March | 13° | 3° | 36 mm | 7 | 41% | 11.9 h | 07:15–19:06 |
| April | 18° | 7° | 65 mm | 9 | 41% | 13.3 h | 06:22–19:40 |
| May | 23° | 12° | 91 mm | 11 | 38% | 14.5 h | 05:42–20:13 |
| June | 28° | 16° | 85 mm | 9 | 27% | 15.2 h | 05:25–20:37 |
| July | 31° | 19° | 49 mm | 6 | 18% | 15.0 h | 05:38–20:35 |
| August | 31° | 19° | 47 mm | 6 | 19% | 13.9 h | 06:08–20:04 |
| September | 26° | 15° | 42 mm | 6 | 24% | 12.5 h | 06:40–19:13 |
| October | 20° | 10° | 47 mm | 6 | 33% | 11.2 h | 07:12–18:22 |
| November | 13° | 4° | 41 mm | 6 | 36% | 9.9 h | 07:50–17:42 |
| December | 8° | 0° | 26 mm | 5 | 38% | 9.2 h | 08:21–17:31 |
| Year | 19° | 9° | 580 mm | 82 | 33% |
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.
Mtskheta weather through the year
SpringMar–May
March is cool and grey, with highs around 13 °C and the cloudiest skies of the year. April jumps to about 18 °C as the hills above town turn green, and May peaks at about 23 °C but also brings the most rain, around 90 mm on 11 days. Storm clouds usually gather later in the day, so climb to Jvari Monastery first and keep Svetitskhoveli's interior for the shower.
Highs 13° to 23° · lows 3° to 12° · 192 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
Summer here is hot and mostly dry. July and August highs average about 31 °C, nights about 19 °C, and cloud cover drops below 20%, the clearest skies of the year. The stone courtyards of Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro soak up the heat, and the walk up to Jvari has little shade. Arrive early, carry water and a scarf for the churches, and finish with a long lunch by the river.
Highs 28° to 31° · lows 16° to 19° · 181 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is the town's finest month: about 26 °C by day, 15 °C at night, six rain days and clear skies. October cools to about 20 °C and brings festival time, as Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba) fills the streets in mid-October. November settles at about 13 °C with more grey days and chilly mornings, but Shio-Mgvime and Zedazeni monasteries are quiet and atmospheric then.
Highs 13° to 26° · lows 4° to 15° · 130 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter weather in Mtskheta is short and fairly mild. Afternoons from December to February reach about 7 to 8 °C, nights sit close to 0 °C, and this is the driest stretch, roughly 23 to 28 mm a month. Snow arrives in most winters and may stay for days or even weeks, so the hill road and steps at Jvari can be icy. Orthodox Christmas and Epiphany services in the cathedral are memorable.
Highs 7° to 8° · lows −1° to 0° · 77 mm rain
Best time to visit Mtskheta
The best time to visit Mtskheta is September, with warm, settled days and the sharpest views from Jvari down to the meeting of the two rivers. May and June are good too, greener but showery, and July works if you arrive before 10:00. Come in mid-October for Svetitskhovloba if you enjoy crowds and celebration, or pick a weekday in any season for a calmer Svetitskhoveli. In winter the town is cold but peaceful, and only about half an hour from Tbilisi.
Jvari Monastery stands on a bare hilltop high above the town, and it catches wind that the lanes below never feel. Even on a warm day the ridge can be breezy, and in winter it feels several degrees colder than the riverside. The valley floor works the other way, trapping heat in summer. Treat the hilltop and the town as two climates: a layer for Jvari, sun cover for Mtskheta.
What to pack for Mtskheta
- A light scarf that covers shoulders and shades from sun
- A windproof layer for the exposed hilltop at Jvari
- A rain jacket or umbrella for showery May
- Comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes around Svetitskhoveli
- A warm coat for January church services
Mtskheta weather: FAQ
Is Mtskheta hotter than Tbilisi?
Not quite. Set the Mtskheta weather by month beside the capital's and the gap is small: about 31 °C (88 °F) on July afternoons against Tbilisi's 32 °C (90 °F), with winter nights a degree or so colder. Rain is slightly higher, about 580 mm a year compared with 511 mm, so dress the same for both.
Is the weather good for Svetitskhovloba in October?
Usually, yes. The festival falls in mid-October, when afternoons average about 20 °C (68 °F) and nights about 10 °C (50 °F). Rain comes on roughly six days in the month, so carry a light jacket for the evening processions and the crowds around the cathedral grounds.
When is the best light for photographing Jvari Monastery?
July to September offers the clearest air, with cloud cover around 18 to 24%, while spring haze and storm clouds are more common from March to May. Go early: in September the sun rises around 06:40, and the first hours are calm and quiet before the day-trip groups arrive from Tbilisi.
Does snow settle in Mtskheta?
Yes, in most winters, though not for long stretches. A fall can linger for days or occasionally a few weeks, mostly in January and February, when nights drop to around -1.5 °C (29 °F) and afternoons reach about 7 °C (45 °F). The town stays easy to visit, but wear shoes with grip on the steps up to Jvari and on icy cobbles.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Mtskheta and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Mtskheta
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Mtskheta every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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