The highest average annual temperature is on the Shida Kartli plain which rises from the West to the East direction from 9 °C to 12.2 °C.[11] The hottest month of the region is August (18.5 °C) and its maximum average monthly temperature reaches 24.4 °C, while minimum – drops to 4.5 °C. The coldest month is January (-2,6 °C) and its minimum average monthly temperature drops to -12.6 °C, while maximum reaches – 1.6 °C.[12]