Weather Conditions in Svaneti (hiking and climbing season)

 Rainy day in the first week of July (above)

Each month has it's advantages and drawbacks so  fixed rules won't apply.
Moreover EVERY year is  unique.
Season of 2017 will be remembered  for  hot days and very few rains. Season of 2018 turned hot very early (last week of June) with occasional thunderstorms later in season. October greeted off-season travelers with two weeks  of splendid weather.
If planning to revisit consider coming in different month. You might not even recognize you favourite spots! Fall has it's beauty  very much different from summer's.

 June 
Transition from late spring to summer

• Much snow  left above 2600m and nights are still chilly. At those heights it still feels very much like  spring 
•  More rainy days (esp. at the beginning of the month).  Last two weeks are considerably drier.
• Popular hiking trails are less crowded
• Mountains are covered with thick layer of shining snow left from spring
• Snow bridges make river crossings easier and safer. However on sunny  days water is high and turbulent and every fording requires caution.
• Flowers are  all over the place

Photos (below)  were taken at the same spot (at 2550m) in June and in August respectively  and show a stark change of environment

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July 
This month has the best of both June and August without their extremes

• Days become warmer and even hot.  Nights at higher altitudes (up to 3000m) are comfortable
• Many  more tourists. Guesthouses are almost full and require advanced booking
• Most of the snow (below 3000m) melts away.
• Flowers are in full bloom
• Weather is relatively stable

​Meadows at 2800m at the foot of Mt.Layla in the middle of July

 
August
High season is in full swing

• Days are often hot (even extremely hot) and nights are warm.  Less rains and more thunderstorms
• Popular trails are crowded and hotels/guesthouses  are almost all booked
• Glacier routes become icy and bridges over crevasses thinner
• Plenty of wild berries
• Great time to visit mountain lakes which are already free from snow

​Photos (below) show  snow conditions on the same day but in different years.
North Layla (3991m) in the middle of August

September
Dry and cool time to enjoy the mountains

•  Days are not as hot and nights become cooler (even freezing as you climb higher)
• Second half of the month may bring  an occasional  snowfall  above 2800m
• Colors of autumn start to appear

October
Quiet period full of wonders

•  Lower day temperatures make hiking very pleasant.
• Nights are freezing and require extra layers
• Occasional snowfalls above 2500m
• Fall colors and snow covered peaks match perfectly
• Climbing routes are icy and covered with thin layer of snow​ 

October in the Upper Lasil valley and at the foot of Shtavleri (below)