Ninotsminda Weather
Ninotsminda weather is about as cold as Georgian towns get. At ~1,940 m on the Javakheti plateau near the Armenian border (not to be confused with Ninotsminda Cathedral in Kakheti), it averages about -13 °C (9 °F) on January nights, stays snowbound from roughly November into April and peaks at only about 24 °C (75 °F) in August. Summers are short, bright and cool. July to September suits the lakes, Gorelovka and the Phoka convent.
Ninotsminda weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.265° N, 43.593° E, 1,940 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 | −2° | −13° | 24 mm | 6 | 38% | 9.5 h | 08:29–17:59 |
| February | −1° | −12° | 26 mm | 6 | 40% | 10.6 h | 08:02–18:38 |
| March | 4° | −7° | 32 mm | 7 | 41% | 11.9 h | 07:19–19:11 |
| April | 10° | −1° | 54 mm | 10 | 42% | 13.3 h | 06:28–19:44 |
| May | 16° | 3° | 92 mm | 15 | 41% | 14.5 h | 05:48–20:16 |
| June | 20° | 6° | 90 mm | 13 | 35% | 15.1 h | 05:32–20:40 |
| July | 23° | 8° | 62 mm | 10 | 28% | 14.9 h | 05:45–20:38 |
| August | 24° | 8° | 57 mm | 9 | 25% | 13.9 h | 06:14–20:07 |
| September | 20° | 4° | 40 mm | 7 | 26% | 12.5 h | 06:45–19:17 |
| October | 14° | 0° | 38 mm | 7 | 31% | 11.2 h | 07:16–18:27 |
| November | 7° | −5° | 28 mm | 6 | 35% | 9.9 h | 07:53–17:48 |
| December | 0° | −10° | 26 mm | 6 | 37% | 9.2 h | 08:24–17:37 |
| Year | 11° | −2° | 569 mm | 102 | 35% |
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.
Ninotsminda weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring weather in Ninotsminda is mostly winter hanging on: March highs reach just 4 °C and lows sink to -7 °C, and April nights still dip below freezing. The thaw usually comes in April, when the lakes around town fill with migrating birds. May is the wettest month, with about 92 mm on 15 days, so spring birding means cold, damp mornings and muddy tracks.
Highs 4° to 16° · lows −7° to 3° · 178 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June, at 20 °C, is cool and showery, with about 13 rainy days. July and August are the warmest months, at 23 to 24 °C by day, but nights drop to about 8 °C. August is also the clearest month (25% cloud). This short, green season is the time for walks by the lakes, the Doukhobor village of Gorelovka and the convent at Phoka on the shore of Paravani Lake.
Highs 20° to 24° · lows 6° to 8° · 209 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is crisp and clear, with 20 °C afternoons and 4 °C nights, and it brings a second wave of migrating birds. October cools to 14 °C, with nights right at freezing point. By November, highs reach only about 7 °C and nights about -5 °C: winter is back on the plateau.
Highs 7° to 20° · lows −5° to 4° · 106 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winters are long and hard. From December to February average highs stay around or below 0 °C and lows between -10 and -13 °C. Precipitation is light, 24 to 26 mm a month, but the snow that falls stays, and the shallow lakes freeze over. Roads across the plateau can be closed for a time by drifts after storms, so travel with flexible plans.
Highs −2° to 0° · lows −13° to −10° · 76 mm rain
Best time to visit Ninotsminda
The best time to visit Ninotsminda is July to September, when afternoons reach 20 to 24 °C and plateau roads are clear. For birdwatching on the Javakheti lakes, go in late April and May or in September, accepting cold mornings and some rain in spring. August is the warmest and clearest month. Ninotsminda weather by month shows how narrow the window is: winter visits are only for those who want a frozen, snow-covered plateau and can cope with nights far below freezing.
Snow and ice shape the year around Ninotsminda. Snow usually lies from November into April, and the shallow plateau lakes nearby usually stay frozen through the winter. Open water returns with the spring thaw, usually in April, and that is when migrating waterbirds stop over, with a second passage in September. For birders, timing is everything: come too early and the lakes are still ice; come in May and expect rain on about 15 days.
What to pack for Ninotsminda
- Down jacket for winter nights near -13 °C
- Fleece for cool summer evenings around 8 °C
- Binoculars for the Javakheti lakes
- Waterproof boots for wet May tracks
- Sun protection for strong high-altitude light
Ninotsminda weather: FAQ
Is Ninotsminda the coldest town in Georgia?
It is one of the coldest. January lows here average about -13 °C (9 °F) and highs only -2 °C (28 °F), colder than Akhalkalaki, 18 km away, where January nights average about -11 °C (12 °F). The difference comes from altitude: Ninotsminda sits ~240 m higher. In a typical winter the snow cover lasts from November to April.
When does the snow melt around Ninotsminda?
Usually in April. March still averages only about 4 °C (39 °F) by day and -7 °C (19 °F) at night, so the plateau stays white; April afternoons reach about 10 °C (51 °F) and the snow retreats, although nights remain below freezing. Late snowfalls in April and even May can still happen.
Is May a good time to visit Ninotsminda?
It is green and lively with birds, but cold and wet: about 92 mm of rain on 15 days, the most of any month, with highs near 16 °C (60 °F) and nights only just above freezing, about 3 °C (37 °F). Come prepared for mud and drizzle, or wait for July, when the plateau is warmer and drier.
What should I wear in Ninotsminda in summer?
Layers. July and August afternoons reach only 23 to 24 °C (73 to 75 °F), and after dark the temperature drops to around 8 °C (47 °F), with wind on the open plateau making evenings feel colder. Pack a warm jacket, a beanie and full-length trousers next to the T-shirts and sunglasses.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Ninotsminda every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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