Paravani Lake Weather
Paravani Lake weather is the harshest on the Javakheti plateau. Georgia's largest lake lies at 2,073 m on a treeless volcanic upland, where snow usually covers the ground from October to April, January nights average about -13 °C (9 °F) and the lake freezes over. Summer is brief and cool, with August highs of just 22 °C (72 °F) and nights near 7 °C (45 °F). July and August are the months to see it open and blue.
Paravani Lake weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.464° N, 43.814° E, 2,073 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 | −3° | −13° | 33 mm | 8 | 38% | 9.5 h | 08:29–17:58 |
| February | −2° | −13° | 35 mm | 7 | 40% | 10.6 h | 08:01–18:37 |
| March | 3° | −7° | 36 mm | 8 | 41% | 11.9 h | 07:19–19:10 |
| April | 9° | −3° | 51 mm | 10 | 43% | 13.3 h | 06:26–19:43 |
| May | 14° | 2° | 79 mm | 14 | 42% | 14.5 h | 05:46–20:15 |
| June | 18° | 5° | 85 mm | 14 | 34% | 15.2 h | 05:30–20:39 |
| July | 21° | 8° | 49 mm | 9 | 29% | 14.9 h | 05:43–20:38 |
| August | 22° | 7° | 49 mm | 8 | 28% | 13.9 h | 06:13–20:06 |
| September | 18° | 3° | 34 mm | 6 | 30% | 12.5 h | 06:44–19:16 |
| October | 12° | −1° | 37 mm | 7 | 34% | 11.2 h | 07:15–18:26 |
| November | 6° | −6° | 34 mm | 7 | 36% | 9.9 h | 07:53–17:47 |
| December | 0° | −11° | 35 mm | 8 | 37% | 9.2 h | 08:24–17:36 |
| Year | 10° | −2° | 557 mm | 106 | 36% |
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.
Paravani Lake weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring weather in the Paravani area barely registers. March manages highs of only 3 °C, with lows of -8 °C, and the ice usually holds into April, when highs reach 9 °C and nights stay below freezing. May, at 14 °C, brings the thaw, the first green grass and rain on about 14 days. The shore is muddy and the plateau looks bleak until late in the month.
Highs 3° to 14° · lows −7° to 2° · 166 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June is the wettest month (about 85 mm on 14 days) and still cool, with highs of about 18 °C and 5 °C nights. July and August are the short summer, about 21 to 22 °C in the afternoon and 7 °C at night. There is no shade or shelter on the shore, so sun and wind both bite. The convent at Phoka, on the southern shore, makes a good stop.
Highs 18° to 22° · lows 5° to 8° · 183 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is clear and crisp, about 18 °C by day but 3 °C at night, and it is one of the drier months, at about 34 mm. October highs fall to 12 °C, nights drop just below freezing and the first snow can whiten the shore. By November the plateau is wintry again, with lows near -6 °C.
Highs 6° to 18° · lows −6° to 3° · 105 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
From December to March the lake is usually frozen and the plateau white. January highs stay around -3 °C and lows sink to -13 °C, and the plateau stays snowbound into April. Locals fish through the ice. The main road from Tbilisi via Tsalka to Ninotsminda runs along the shore and can be icy or drifted, so drive only with winter tyres and in daylight.
Highs −3° to 0° · lows −13° to −11° · 103 mm rain
Best time to visit Paravani Lake
The best time to visit Paravani Lake is July and August, when afternoons reach 21 to 22 °C, the grass is green and the water is open and blue. Late June and early September are good alternatives, though June is the wettest month and September nights drop to about 3 °C. Paravani Lake weather by month also explains the winter draw: a frozen, snow-covered lake with a stark beauty and ice fishermen, but -13 °C nights and slow, icy roads. Spring is grey and muddy.
Nothing breaks the wind at Paravani. The lake fills a wide, treeless basin between the Samsari and Javakheti ranges, and wind often sweeps across the open water and grassland. It makes the plateau feel far colder than the thermometer says: a 21 °C summer afternoon can feel cool, and winter's -13 °C nights become dangerous without proper gear. A windproof layer matters more here than anywhere else on the plateau.
What to pack for Paravani Lake
- Windproof jacket in every season
- Hat, gloves and thermal layers for winter
- Sunglasses for glare off water and snow
- Waterproof shoes for the marshy June shore
- Warm drink in a flask for windy stops
Paravani Lake weather: FAQ
Does Paravani Lake freeze in winter?
Yes. With January averaging about -3 °C (27 °F) by day and -13 °C (9 °F) at night, the lake usually freezes over, and local fishermen cut holes in the ice. Ice thickness varies from year to year and from bay to bay, so never walk on it without local advice.
How cold is Paravani Lake in summer?
Cool for summer. In July and August afternoons average 21 to 22 °C (70 to 72 °F), but nights fall to about 7 °C (45 °F), and the wind off the lake makes it feel cooler. June nights average about 5 °C (41 °F) and September nights about 3 °C (37 °F), so a warm jacket is a must.
Is Paravani Lake worth a stop between Tbilisi and Vardzia?
Yes, from June to September, when the lake is open and the plateau green. It sits on the Tsalka road at 2,073 m, so expect it to be 6 to 7 °C cooler than Vardzia: about 22 °C (72 °F) on an August afternoon against 28 °C (83 °F) at the caves. In winter the frozen lake is striking, but road conditions decide whether the stop is wise.
What is the weather like at Paravani Lake in June?
Cool and changeable. June is the wettest month, with about 85 mm of rain on 14 days, highs around 18 °C (64 °F) and nights near 5 °C (41 °F). The grass is fresh and wildflowers appear, but expect showers and wind, and bring waterproofs if you plan to walk along the shore.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Tours that visit Paravani Lake
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Paravani Lake every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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