Tsalka Weather
Tsalka weather belongs to the highlands, not to the hot lowlands an hour and a half from Tbilisi. The town stands at about 1,475 m on an open plateau beside the Tsalka Reservoir, so summer afternoons peak at about 23 °C (73 °F) while January nights sink to about -9 °C (16 °F). In a typical winter the plateau stays white from December to February. June to August is the season for Dashbashi Canyon and drives around the lake.
Tsalka weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.595° N, 44.091° E, 1,475 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° | −9° | 18 mm | 5 | 37% | 9.5 h | 08:28–17:56 |
| February | 3° | −8° | 23 mm | 6 | 41% | 10.6 h | 08:00–18:35 |
| March | 7° | −4° | 37 mm | 8 | 46% | 11.9 h | 07:17–19:09 |
| April | 12° | 1° | 74 mm | 11 | 48% | 13.3 h | 06:25–19:43 |
| May | 17° | 5° | 109 mm | 14 | 47% | 14.5 h | 05:45–20:14 |
| June | 20° | 9° | 115 mm | 13 | 35% | 15.2 h | 05:29–20:39 |
| July | 23° | 11° | 54 mm | 9 | 29% | 14.9 h | 05:42–20:37 |
| August | 24° | 11° | 56 mm | 8 | 30% | 13.9 h | 06:11–20:06 |
| September | 19° | 8° | 48 mm | 8 | 35% | 12.5 h | 06:43–19:15 |
| October | 15° | 3° | 47 mm | 8 | 42% | 11.2 h | 07:14–18:24 |
| November | 9° | −3° | 31 mm | 6 | 39% | 9.9 h | 07:52–17:45 |
| December | 4° | −7° | 22 mm | 5 | 38% | 9.2 h | 08:23–17:34 |
| Year | 13° | 1° | 634 mm | 101 | 39% |
Temperatures, rain and rain days are the official 1991–2020 averages of the Tsalka weather station (World Meteorological Organization climate normals, published by NOAA). 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.
Tsalka weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring creeps onto the plateau. March highs are only about 7 °C with nights below freezing, and April, the cloudiest month, sometimes still turns white. May warms to about 17 °C but turns wet, with about 109 mm on 14 days, the most rain days of the year. Expect mud on village tracks and a raw wind off the reservoir, while the grassland greens up fast by late May.
Highs 7° to 17° · lows −4° to 5° · 220 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
Summer is short and pleasant. Highs rise from about 20 °C in June to 23 °C in the peak months, while nights remain cool at 9 to 11 °C. June has the largest rain total, about 115 mm, much of it in afternoon storms; July and August are drier and brighter. It is ideal weather for Dashbashi Canyon, Algeti National Park or a picnic by the water.
Highs 20° to 24° · lows 9° to 11° · 225 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September stays mostly dry, with about 48 mm of rain and highs near 19 °C, though nights already fall to about 7 °C. October cools to about 15 °C by day and 3 °C after dark, and the fading grass of the plateau makes for golden photographs. By November afternoons manage only about 9 °C, frosts are routine and the first snow usually arrives.
Highs 9° to 19° · lows −3° to 8° · 126 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winters are long and hard by Georgian standards. From December to February highs reach only about 2 to 4 °C and nights fall to about -7 to -9 °C. Precipitation is low, roughly 18 to 23 mm a month, but most of it comes as snow and it stays. Plateau roads can ice over, and the whole reservoir basin turns white and silent.
Highs 2° to 4° · lows −9° to −7° · 63 mm rain
Best time to visit Tsalka
The best time to visit Tsalka is June to August, when days are warm but seldom hot and the plateau is green. For Dashbashi Canyon, aim for July or August: fewer storms than June and the clearest skies of the year, at around 29% cloud. September is a quieter choice if you bring warm layers for the evening. From December to March, come only with a winter-ready car or driver; Manglisi Cathedral, on the way up, makes a good short winter stop.
Wind and altitude make the weather in Tsalka feel colder than the numbers. The plateau is wide and nearly treeless, so there is little shelter from gusts sweeping across the reservoir, and at ~1,500 m the sun is strong while the air stays cool. Even in July, a calm 23 °C afternoon can turn chilly within minutes when a breeze picks up or a storm builds. A windproof jacket belongs in the bag in every season.
What to pack for Tsalka
- A windproof jacket, even in July and August
- Warm hat and gloves for spring and autumn evenings
- Waterproof boots for muddy tracks in May and June
- Sunscreen for strong sun at altitude
Tsalka weather: FAQ
How cold does Tsalka get in winter?
In January, the coldest month, afternoons average about 2 °C (36 °F) while nights drop to around -9 °C (16 °F), and February is barely milder. Snow normally blankets the ground through December, January and February, and wind across the open plateau makes it feel colder still, so dress as you would for the mountains.
When is the best time to visit Dashbashi Canyon?
Between June and September. The warmest months, July and August, average about 23 °C (73 °F) and are clearer than June, when storms are common. Paths into the canyon get muddy after rain, so check the forecast and wear boots with grip. In winter, snow and ice make the descent risky.
Is Tsalka cooler than Tbilisi in summer?
Much cooler. Tsalka's July afternoons average about 23 °C (73 °F) against about 32 °C (90 °F) in Tbilisi, and nights fall to about 11 °C (52 °F), roughly 9 °C below the capital's. It makes a natural escape from city heat, but bring a fleece for the evening.
When does the snow go on the Tsalka plateau?
Usually during March. In a typical winter the ground is white from about December to February, and the Tsalka weather by month shows March nights still below freezing, at about -4 °C (25 °F), so the thaw is slow. April can bring fresh falls, though nights then average about 1 °C (34 °F). By May the grass is growing, though it is the month with the most rain days.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Tsalka and at a similar height.
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Tsalka every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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