Rustavi Weather
Rustavi weather runs a few degrees hotter than the capital's. The steel city sits lower, at about 335 m on the open Mtkvari plain south-east of Tbilisi, and its semi-arid climate brings July afternoons of about 35 °C (95 °F) and only around 410 mm of rain a year. Winters are the mildest in the area, with January highs near 9 °C (48 °F). Spring and autumn are the comfortable seasons for race weekends and trips to David Gareja.
Rustavi weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.543° N, 45.011° E, 335 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 | 9° | 1° | 17 mm | 4 | 33% | 9.5 h | 08:24–17:53 |
| February | 11° | 1° | 22 mm | 4 | 37% | 10.6 h | 07:57–18:32 |
| March | 15° | 5° | 30 mm | 6 | 40% | 11.9 h | 07:14–19:05 |
| April | 21° | 9° | 42 mm | 7 | 40% | 13.3 h | 06:22–19:39 |
| May | 26° | 14° | 60 mm | 9 | 37% | 14.5 h | 05:41–20:11 |
| June | 32° | 19° | 59 mm | 8 | 25% | 15.2 h | 05:25–20:35 |
| July | 35° | 22° | 34 mm | 5 | 17% | 14.9 h | 05:38–20:33 |
| August | 34° | 22° | 30 mm | 4 | 18% | 13.9 h | 06:08–20:02 |
| September | 29° | 17° | 29 mm | 5 | 21% | 12.5 h | 06:39–19:12 |
| October | 22° | 11° | 36 mm | 5 | 31% | 11.2 h | 07:10–18:21 |
| November | 14° | 5° | 30 mm | 5 | 34% | 9.9 h | 07:48–17:42 |
| December | 10° | 1° | 19 mm | 4 | 34% | 9.2 h | 08:19–17:31 |
| Year | 21° | 11° | 408 mm | 66 | 31% |
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.
Rustavi weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring is short and pleasant. March highs reach about 15 °C, April about 21 °C, and by May the plain is already at about 26 °C. Rain comes in brief bursts, 30 to 60 mm a month, and the steppe out towards David Gareja usually greens and flowers for a few weeks in April and May before the sun browns it again. This is the kindest season for the desert monastery.
Highs 15° to 26° · lows 5° to 14° · 132 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
Summer is fierce. June averages about 32 °C, July and August about 34 to 35 °C, and warm nights near 22 °C give little relief. Clouds cover less than a fifth of the sky in midsummer, and after the May and June thunderstorms the rain thins to about 30 to 34 mm a month. For a race at Rustavi International Motorpark, bring a hat, shade and plenty of water; walk at Gareja only at dawn.
Highs 32° to 35° · lows 19° to 22° · 123 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September stays hot, about 29 °C, but nights cool to 17 °C and the light softens. October may be the most comfortable month of all, with highs near 22 °C and roughly five rain days. November afternoons ease to about 14 °C, with nights near 5 °C, which suits long walks through the Stalin-era centre and a day out on the Gareja steppe.
Highs 14° to 29° · lows 5° to 17° · 95 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
The weather in Rustavi from December to February is mild and fairly dry. Highs stay around 9 to 10 °C and nights hover just above freezing, about 0.5 to 1 °C. Snow is rare and melts fast. Each month has only about four rain days, so a winter walk around the fortress ruin and the planned Soviet streets usually stays dry, if grey.
Highs 9° to 11° · lows 1° to 1° · 58 mm rain
Best time to visit Rustavi
The best time to visit Rustavi is April to May or late September to October, when days sit between about 20 and 29 °C and the plain is neither scorching nor muddy. These months also suit the long drive and the ridge walk at David Gareja, which shares the same dry steppe climate and offers no shade at all. Avoid midsummer afternoons outdoors. Race fans should check the motorpark calendar and favour spring and autumn events over July and August ones.
Rustavi lies on a dry steppe plain that runs out into semi-desert towards the Azerbaijani border, and heat builds quickly over the bare ground. Read the Rustavi weather by month and July and August stand out at about 34 to 35 °C, roughly 3 °C hotter than Tbilisi, with dry air that hides how much water you lose. Keep outdoor plans for before 11:00 and after 18:00, and drink more than you think you need.
What to pack for Rustavi
- A wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50 for the open plain
- Two litres of water per person for David Gareja
- Breathable long sleeves to keep the sun off
- A light jacket for cool spring and autumn evenings
- Sturdy shoes for dusty steppe trails
Rustavi weather: FAQ
How hot does Rustavi get?
July is the hottest month, averaging about 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon, with August close behind at 34 °C (93 °F). Nights stay warm, around 22 °C (72 °F). That makes Rustavi one of the hottest places near Tbilisi, so plan sightseeing for the early morning or the evening.
Can you visit David Gareja in summer?
You can, but it is hard going. The monastery sits on a dry, shadeless ridge where July and August afternoons reach about 34 to 35 °C (93 to 95 °F), and the walk to the cave frescoes climbs over open ground. Leave Tbilisi early enough to arrive by 09:00, or choose April, May or October instead.
Is Rustavi warmer than Tbilisi in winter?
Slightly. January highs average about 9 °C (48 °F) in Rustavi against 7 °C (45 °F) in Tbilisi, and nights seldom drop far below freezing, at about 0.5 °C (33 °F). Snow is rare and short-lived, so roads to the city and on towards Gareja usually stay clear through the winter.
Which months are best for a race at Rustavi International Motorpark?
Spring and autumn. May and October bring highs of about 26 °C and 22 °C (79 °F and 72 °F) with little rain, while summer meetings mean sitting in sun of about 35 °C (95 °F). Bring a hat and water in any month, and check the event calendar first, since dates change every year.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Rustavi every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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