Ushguli Weather
Ushguli weather is ruled by height. Set at ~2,100 m below Shkhara, the tallest summit in Georgia, the village counts among Europe's highest year-round settlements, and its summer is short. July and August highs reach about 21 °C (70 °F), but after dark the average falls to around 9 °C (48 °F), and in a typical winter snow covers the ground from about October to April. It is also the wettest of the Svan villages, with around 1,610 mm of rain and snow.
Ushguli weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 42.918° N, 43.016° E, 2,100 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° | −11° | 129 mm | 12 | 53% | 9.3 h | 08:36–17:57 |
| February | −1° | −10° | 96 mm | 12 | 54% | 10.5 h | 08:07–18:38 |
| March | 3° | −7° | 107 mm | 13 | 54% | 11.8 h | 07:22–19:13 |
| April | 7° | −2° | 153 mm | 15 | 52% | 13.3 h | 06:28–19:49 |
| May | 12° | 2° | 141 mm | 16 | 49% | 14.6 h | 05:46–20:22 |
| June | 17° | 6° | 160 mm | 16 | 43% | 15.3 h | 05:28–20:48 |
| July | 21° | 9° | 139 mm | 13 | 30% | 15.1 h | 05:42–20:46 |
| August | 21° | 9° | 149 mm | 12 | 28% | 14.0 h | 06:13–20:12 |
| September | 16° | 5° | 127 mm | 12 | 34% | 12.6 h | 06:46–19:20 |
| October | 11° | 0° | 145 mm | 12 | 41% | 11.1 h | 07:20–18:27 |
| November | 3° | −6° | 130 mm | 12 | 48% | 9.8 h | 07:59–17:46 |
| December | −1° | −9° | 136 mm | 13 | 52% | 9.0 h | 08:32–17:34 |
| Year | 9° | −1° | 1,612 mm | 158 | 45% |
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.
Ushguli weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring is still winter here. March highs are near 3 °C with nights around -7 °C, and the village normally keeps its snow through April. April and May are wet, with rain or snow on 15 to 16 days each, and the Zagar Pass road to Lentekhi stays shut until late May or June. Come in spring only for snow scenes, and check the road from Mestia first.
Highs 3° to 12° · lows −7° to 2° · 401 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
The window is short. June warms to about 17 °C but is the wettest month, near 160 mm. July and August are the best: highs about 21 °C, nights near 9 °C, and cloud cover down to about 28 to 30 percent, so Shkhara shows itself most often. Walks to the Shkhara Glacier and Lamaria Church are easiest then, and the Kvirikoba feast in nearby Kala falls in July.
Highs 17° to 21° · lows 6° to 9° · 448 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
Ushguli weather by month turns quickly after summer. September is crisp and often clear, with highs around 16 °C, nights near 5 °C and fewer visitors than August. By October nights hover around freezing and highs drop to 11 °C. Snow usually settles again during October; by November highs barely pass 3 °C, and the Zagar Pass tends to close between late October and early December.
Highs 3° to 16° · lows −6° to 5° · 402 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter is long and deep. From December to February even the average daytime high is below 0 °C, lows sit between -9 and -11 °C, and more than half the sky is clouded over. Snow piles up between the towers, and heavy falls can block the road. Lamproba, the torch festival, brings the villages together in February. Stay in a guesthouse with a good stove and keep your return date flexible.
Highs −3° to −1° · lows −11° to −9° · 361 mm rain
Best time to visit Ushguli
The best time to visit Ushguli is July and August, when the road from Mestia is clear, the Shkhara Glacier walk is snow-free and cloud lifts off the peak more often. Early September is a good second choice with fewer day-trippers. Trekkers walking in on the last stage of the trek from Mestia should aim for mid-July to early September. Winter trips only make sense with a 4x4 driver, chains and time to spare.
Snow controls access to Ushguli, which lies at the head of the upper Enguri valley. The road from Mestia is kept open all year, yet in winter notices often admit only cars fitted with anti-skid chains, and the section from Kala can close for hours or days when rockfall or avalanches threaten. The only other way out, the Zagar Pass to Lentekhi, usually opens from late May or June until late autumn.
What to pack for Ushguli
- Down jacket even in August, when nights fall near 9 °C
- Waterproof boots for snowmelt mud in June
- Thermal base layers for any stay outside midsummer
- Rain jacket for the wet early summer
- Sunglasses against snow glare on the Shkhara walk
Ushguli weather: FAQ
Is the road to Ushguli open in winter?
Yes, the road from Mestia stays open all year, but winter driving is serious. Chains are often compulsory, and the stretch beyond Kala can be closed for a few hours or several days because of avalanche or rockfall risk. Go with an experienced local driver in a 4x4 and build in a spare day. The Zagar Pass to Lentekhi is shut all winter.
How cold is Ushguli at night in summer?
Summer weather in Ushguli catches many visitors out. In July and August, the warmest months, average lows are about 9 °C (48 °F), and in June they are nearer 6 °C (43 °F). Afternoon highs around 21 °C (70 °F) feel warm in the sun, but bring a fleece and a warm jacket for the evenings.
Can you visit Ushguli in May?
You can, but expect late winter. May highs are about 12 °C (54 °F), nights hover near 2 °C (36 °F), rain or snow falls on about 16 days, and old drifts can linger in shady spots. The towers look striking against the snow; just leave the Shkhara Glacier walk and the Zagar Pass, which normally opens in late May or June, for later.
Why is Ushguli so much colder than Mestia?
It lies about 600 m higher. July afternoons average around 21 °C (70 °F), roughly three degrees cooler than Mestia's 24 °C (75 °F), and on January nights Ushguli drops to about -11 °C (12 °F) while Mestia sits near -7 °C (19 °F). Snow also arrives earlier and stays later, and Ushguli gets far more rain and snow, around 1,610 mm a year against Mestia's 970 mm.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Ushguli and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Ushguli
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Ushguli every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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