Travel time: Year-round
Georgia’s weather is defined by its dramatic topography, wedged between the Greater Caucasus Mountains to the north and the Lesser Caucasus to the south. This geography creates a remarkable diversity of conditions within a small area, effectively splitting the country into two distinct halves: a humid, subtropical west and a drier, more continental east.
Spring is a season of rapid transformation and high variability. In the lowlands, March can still feel wintry with sporadic rain, but by May, the countryside is lush and temperatures in Tbilisi reach a pleasant 23°C (73°F). This is typically the wettest period for eastern Georgia, characterized by sudden but short afternoon downpours.
Lowland summers are characterized by intense heat. In Tbilisi and the eastern plains, temperatures frequently exceed 30°C (86°F) and can occasionally spike to 40°C (104°F). Along the coast, the Black Sea provides a breeze, but the high humidity creates a "sticky" sensation. Deep in the mountains, summer is the only window for high-altitude trekking, as snow finally clears from the passes.
Many locals consider autumn the "golden season." September and October are warm and stable, with much lower humidity than summer. In the Kakheti region, this is the time of the Rtveli (grape harvest), coinciding with clear skies and mild afternoons. By late November, the first significant snowfalls begin to close the high mountain roads.
Tbilisi and the eastern lowlands experience cold, dry winters with average temperatures hovering around 1°C to 5°C (34°F–41°F). Snow is rare in the capital but frequent in the surrounding hills. Western Georgia remains much milder, rarely dipping below freezing at sea level. Meanwhile, the ski resorts of Gudauri and Bakuriani experience heavy, consistent snowfall, with deep accumulation lasting through March.
The Greater Caucasus acts as a massive thermal wall, blocking icy winds from the Russian steppes and keeping the Georgian interior much warmer than the lands to its immediate north. Within Tbilisi, the "river valley effect" often traps air, meaning the city center can be several degrees warmer than the suburbs on the rising slopes. In the west, the Colchic lowlands create a unique microclimate that allows for the growth of citrus and palm trees, a rarity at such a northerly latitude.
Georgians have long adapted their lifestyles to the heat of the plains and the cold of the peaks. In the summer, many city dwellers migrate to the mountains or the coast to escape the stifling heat of Tbilisi. The traditional architecture in eastern Georgia often features thick stone walls and wide balconies (shushabandi) designed to maximize airflow during hot afternoons. In the winter, life centers around the hearth and heavy, nutrient-rich foods that provide warmth against the damp cold found in unheated historic quarters.