Shatili Weather
Shatili weather is milder than its remote setting suggests, but reaching the village depends on a mountain pass. The tower village lies at about 1,400 m in the Argun gorge, with July and August afternoons around 24 °C (75 °F) and January highs near 2 °C (36 °F). It is wet, about 1,082 mm a year, mostly in late spring and summer. Datvisjvari, the pass on the only road in, normally lets 4x4s through from late May or June and closes by December.
Shatili weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 42.659° N, 45.158° E, 1,400 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° | −6° | 35 mm | 5 | 34% | 9.4 h | 08:27–17:49 |
| February | 4° | −5° | 36 mm | 6 | 35% | 10.5 h | 07:58–18:29 |
| March | 8° | −2° | 51 mm | 8 | 39% | 11.9 h | 07:13–19:05 |
| April | 12° | 3° | 92 mm | 10 | 42% | 13.3 h | 06:20–19:40 |
| May | 17° | 7° | 148 mm | 16 | 41% | 14.6 h | 05:38–20:13 |
| June | 22° | 11° | 185 mm | 16 | 38% | 15.3 h | 05:21–20:38 |
| July | 24° | 13° | 168 mm | 13 | 28% | 15.0 h | 05:34–20:36 |
| August | 24° | 13° | 136 mm | 11 | 27% | 14.0 h | 06:05–20:03 |
| September | 20° | 10° | 98 mm | 9 | 28% | 12.6 h | 06:38–19:12 |
| October | 15° | 5° | 59 mm | 7 | 31% | 11.1 h | 07:11–18:19 |
| November | 9° | −1° | 42 mm | 6 | 32% | 9.8 h | 07:50–17:38 |
| December | 4° | −4° | 32 mm | 5 | 33% | 9.1 h | 08:22–17:27 |
| Year | 13° | 4° | 1,082 mm | 112 | 34% |
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.
Shatili weather through the year
SpringMar–May
For most of spring Shatili is cut off. The Datvisjvari Pass (~2,676 m) stays snowbound until about late May or early June, even though the village warms from about 8 °C in March to 17 °C in May. May is wet, about 148 mm on 16 days, and the Argun runs loud with meltwater. If the road opens early, expect mud, rockfall and old snow near the top.
Highs 8° to 17° · lows −2° to 7° · 291 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
Summer is the time to go. Highs of about 22 to 24 °C and nights of 11 to 13 °C are comfortable, but the Shatili weather by month also peaks in rain now: June brings about 185 mm on 16 days and July about 168 mm. Heavy showers can make the dirt road over the pass slippery, so leave Tbilisi early. August has the clearest skies and the Shatiloba village festival.
Highs 22° to 24° · lows 11° to 13° · 489 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is a gift: rain falls to about 98 mm, the sky stays fairly clear, and highs of about 20 °C suit a trip to Mutso. October cools to about 15 °C with nights near 5 °C, and the slopes above the gorge change colour, but short snow closures on the pass become possible. Between mid-November and December the road shuts for the winter.
Highs 9° to 20° · lows −1° to 10° · 199 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
In winter almost nobody makes it here. Highs of about 2 to 4 °C and nights of about -4 to -6 °C are not extreme for the mountains, and precipitation drops to around 32 to 36 mm a month. Even so, snow on the Datvisjvari Pass blocks the only road for roughly half the year, while the village itself is usually white from December to February.
Highs 2° to 4° · lows −6° to −4° · 103 mm rain
Best time to visit Shatili
The best time to visit Shatili is July to September, when the pass is open, the village is warm and the Shatiloba festival fills it with visitors in August. September is the most relaxed month, with less rain than midsummer and crisp mountain air. June can work once the road opens, but it is the wettest month, around 185 mm. Leave a spare day in the plan in case rain or rockfall slows the drive over Datvisjvari.
The Datvisjvari Pass is the gatekeeper of the weather in Shatili. At ~2,676 m it holds snow long after the village, ~1,300 m lower, has turned green, so the road can stay blocked while Shatili looks like summer. In the 2022 to 2026 record the pass opened to 4x4s around late May or early June and closed sometime between mid-November and December; short snow closures can start as early as October. Carry food and warm clothes for the crossing.
What to pack for Shatili
- Rain gear for the June and July downpours
- A warm layer for crossing the Datvisjvari Pass
- Your passport for the border zone near Russia
- Sturdy boots for wet stone stairs in the towers
- Enough cash, as there are no ATMs
Shatili weather: FAQ
When does the road to Shatili open?
The Datvisjvari Pass usually opens to 4x4 vehicles in late May or early June and closes for the winter between mid-November and December. From October onward, an early snowfall can shut it briefly. Dates shift every year, so ask locally or check with your driver before setting off from Tbilisi.
When is Shatiloba?
Shatiloba is held in August, when village afternoons average about 24 °C (75 °F) and the skies are the clearest of the year. Nights cool to about 13 °C (55 °F). Book a bed early, because the guesthouses are small and the festival draws visitors from across Khevsureti and from Tbilisi.
How wet is Shatili in June?
Very. June tops the year with roughly 185 mm spread across 16 days, and July follows with about 168 mm. Showers can be heavy and turn the gravel road over the pass to mud. Days are warm, about 22 °C (72 °F), so a good rain jacket matters more than a thick coat.
Can you visit Shatili in winter?
Not by road in most years. Snow usually shuts the Datvisjvari Pass between the end of autumn and the start of summer, and the village normally stays snowy from December to February. January highs are about 2 °C (36 °F) with nights near -6 °C (21 °F). Plan your trip for June to October instead.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Tours that visit Shatili
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Shatili every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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