Oni Weather
Oni weather is fresh and settled in summer: at ~830 m in the upper Rioni valley, the town has some of the clearest August skies in western Georgia, with cloud cover near 21 percent. Highs reach about 29 °C (84 °F) and nights cool to 16 °C (61 °F). Winters bring January lows near -3 °C (27 °F) and snowy spells in most years. It is also one of the drier spots in the west, with roughly 970 mm a year.
Oni weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 42.584° N, 43.442° E, 830 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 | 5° | −3° | 75 mm | 10 | 44% | 9.4 h | 08:34–17:56 |
| February | 7° | −3° | 62 mm | 9 | 43% | 10.5 h | 08:05–18:36 |
| March | 11° | 1° | 66 mm | 10 | 43% | 11.9 h | 07:20–19:11 |
| April | 16° | 5° | 73 mm | 11 | 42% | 13.3 h | 06:27–19:46 |
| May | 21° | 9° | 97 mm | 13 | 41% | 14.6 h | 05:45–20:20 |
| June | 26° | 13° | 101 mm | 12 | 35% | 15.3 h | 05:28–20:45 |
| July | 28° | 16° | 74 mm | 8 | 24% | 15.0 h | 05:41–20:43 |
| August | 29° | 16° | 75 mm | 8 | 21% | 14.0 h | 06:12–20:10 |
| September | 25° | 13° | 78 mm | 8 | 25% | 12.6 h | 06:45–19:18 |
| October | 19° | 7° | 99 mm | 9 | 32% | 11.1 h | 07:18–18:26 |
| November | 12° | 2° | 81 mm | 9 | 38% | 9.8 h | 07:57–17:45 |
| December | 6° | −2° | 87 mm | 10 | 40% | 9.1 h | 08:29–17:34 |
| Year | 17° | 6° | 968 mm | 117 | 36% |
Rain and rain days come from Oni'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.
Oni weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring reaches Oni a few weeks after the lowlands. March highs are about 11 °C with nights just above freezing, April reaches 16 °C, and May 21 °C with rain on about 13 days, the most of any month. Snow lingers on the slopes above town, and the side roads up to Utsera and the high villages can still be muddy.
Highs 11° to 21° · lows 1° to 9° · 236 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June to August brings the best weather in Oni. Highs run between 26 and 29 °C and nights around 13 to 16 °C. June is the wettest month, about 101 mm, but July and August bring rain on only eight days each and cloud cover of about 21 to 24 percent. It is good weather for the drive up to Utsera and Glola and for walks to the mountain pastures.
Highs 26° to 29° · lows 13° to 16° · 250 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September stays warm and clear, with 25 °C afternoons, 13 °C nights and rain on just eight days. In October the high falls to about 19 °C, and rain comes close to 100 mm, nearly matching June. November highs of 12 °C and near-freezing nights usually bring the first snow to the higher villages.
Highs 12° to 25° · lows 2° to 13° · 258 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Oni weather by month bottoms out in January, but winters are cold rather than extreme: highs around 4 to 7 °C, nights about -2 to -3 °C. Snow comes in most winters, though a cover rarely survives the whole season. December to February is also the driest stretch, with February at about 62 mm. The Oni Synagogue and the town centre are easy to visit all winter.
Highs 5° to 7° · lows −3° to −2° · 224 mm rain
Best time to visit Oni
The best time to visit Oni is June, August or September: warm, clear and comfortable, with nights cool enough to sleep well. July is just as good, if a little hotter. These months also suit trips up the valley towards Utsera and the Mamisoni area, when mountain roads are at their most reliable. May is green but showery. In winter, stay in town rather than exploring the higher villages.
Oni is the last town on the road up the Rioni towards Shovi and the Mamisoni Pass area. The road to Shovi stays open all year, but storms and avalanches close it at times, and above Shovi there are no official notices about whether the track is passable. Most of Shovi resort was wiped out by the landslide of August 2023. Ask in Oni about conditions before heading up, especially from November to April.
What to pack for Oni
- Wide-brimmed hat for bright, 29 °C August afternoons
- Warm jacket for frosty winter nights near -3 °C
- Waterproof layer for showery May and June
- Sturdy boots for muddy spring roads up the valley
- Fleece for evenings in Utsera and the high villages
Oni weather: FAQ
Does it snow in Oni?
Yes, in most winters. Snow tends to arrive in mid-winter and hang about the streets for days, occasionally weeks, before a thaw clears it. A typical January day peaks near 5 °C (41 °F) and drops to about -3 °C (27 °F) at night. The town copes well, but roads to higher villages may need a 4x4 after snowfall.
Is the road from Oni to Shovi open in winter?
The road is kept open all year, but storms and avalanches can close it for a time. There are no official open or closed notices for the track beyond Shovi towards the Mamisoni Pass area, so treat that part as a summer route. After the 2023 landslide, which destroyed much of Shovi resort, ask locally about the current situation.
When is Oni sunniest?
August, when average cloud cover falls to about 21 percent and rain comes on only eight days. July and September are close behind. Highs near 29 °C (84 °F), paired with cool nights, make this the most comfortable stretch for sightseeing and walks.
Is Oni a good base for Racha in October?
It works well. October afternoons average about 19 °C (66 °F), falling to roughly 7 °C (45 °F) at night, with autumn colour along the Rioni valley. Rain totals close to 100 mm but falls on only about nine days, so most days stay dry. The Rtveli harvest around Ambrolauri is an easy drive away.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Tours that visit Oni
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Oni every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
WhatsApp +995 598 74 74 54