The weather and climate of Mount Everest are extreme, to say the least. The temperatures at the summit are never above freezing, and during the cool seasons, they can drop as low as -60° C (-76° F). Despite the low temperature, the biggest challenge lies in the weather near the peak. This includes hurricane-force winds that can reach more than 285 km/h (177 mph). That said, these winds do slow down around May. Therefore, most of the climbers attempt to climb Mount Everest around this month. Knowing these tidbits, some of you may want some form of guide on Mt Everest weather and temperature.
In this article, we provide you with a brief guide on Mt Everest weather and temperatures. While not in detail, we do cover all the basics you need to know before starting your expedition journey.
The location of Mount Everest is 28° north of the equator and is subject to a typical northern hemisphere seasonal pattern. This mountain lies at the edge of the influence of the Indian Monsoon, and it brings moisture and clouds from June to September. The cold months range from December to January. This region experiences a moderate climate between March to May and October to November, and these seasons are considered the best for trekking and mountaineering. Keeping this in mind, the details regarding the seasons of Mount Everest are as follows:
Winter in Mount Everest lasts from November to February and is dominated by the southward migration of the jet winds from the northern hemisphere. It brings high winds, cold temperatures, and heavy snowfalls at times. This can be a great time for trekking as most of the crowds try to avoid the snow and winds. The day temperatures can be comfortable as the sky is typically sunny when the climate is mild.
Spring at Mount Everest lasts from March to June. It is one of the most ideal times to trek. The rain is infrequent, and day temperatures are warm. Lots of trekkers and climbers are out in t-shirts.
The monsoon season lasts from June to September. The Indian Monsoon influences this season, and because of it, rainfall and cloudy days are rather frequent. Needless to say, it is not the ideal time to climb and ascend Mount Everest. Regardless, you can find solitude during this time, but clouds and rain generally obscure the peaks, and it's not a good time to visit.
Fall lasts from September to November. Since this is the season before the onset of winter, the weather is mild. Therefore, it is one of the best times for mountaineering expeditions and trekking. The days are generally clear, and temperatures are comfortable.
We don't recommend travelling to the region between June and September once the monsoon sets in, as generally cloudy weather and rain obscure the peaks, and you might be lucky to even see Everest. That said, you must remember that weather is not just about seasons, it also includes precipitation as well.
Precipitation pattern is the typical distribution and frequency of rainfall and other forms of precipitation like snow and dew in a specific area over a specific period. Given that you now know the definition of precipitation patterns, let's describe the precipitation pattern in the Everest region. The Everest Base Camp Region is fairly dry, with an average of 18 inches of precipitation received at base camp. Most of the precipitation that does fall (80%+) occurs during the monsoon season of June to September. The rest of the year is fairly dry, with monsoon moisture coming from the south, so Everest Base Camp experiences a rain shadow effect, with most precipitation falling on the south side of the mountains and raining out before the clouds reach base camp.
The high elevation and cold temperature act as a controlling influence on the amount of moisture and limit the overall availability. This aspect of Everest becomes especially clear when you compare the precipitation of Everest (18in) with Lukla (70in). Furthermore, the actual summit of Everest receives even less precipitation as most of it is constantly brushed by high winds. However, big snowstorms are possible as strong mid-latitude storms occasionally go through this region and can take you by surprise. You can prepare for this by using windproof pants and gaiters if you plan to trek or go on an expedition in the winter.
By now, you should have a general gist regarding the season and temperature in the Everest region. However, it is a large region, and therefore, there can be significant differences in temperature between the summit and base camp. So, what are these temperature differences?
The coldest temperatures of the year occur from the 15th of December onward until the end of January, with temperatures at the summit averaging 37C (-35F) and those at Everest Base Camp average 17C (1.4F). Temperatures warm rapidly in the spring months of April and May, bringing t-shirt weather, although nights are still cold and chilly. It's not uncommon to see climbers wearing t-shirts all the way up to Camp 3 during this period.
During May, there is a short window for climbing the mountain, and summit temperatures average -15F and -26C.
So far, we have constantly talked about Everest being brushed by fast winds and having low temperatures. Therefore, you may have developed a bit of curiosity regarding the wild and wind chill of Mount Everest. The summit of Everest might be the windiest place on earth, with hurricane-force winds buffeting the summit on over 50% of days during the windiest months.
From the middle of October until the start of April, the summit continuously faces winds that exceed 74 mph, which is equivalent to a category 1 Hurricane. During the winter, the wild chill decreases the summit to as low as -70° C (-94° F). This temperature is comparable to the world's coldest places, such as the world record for the coldest temperature -67.8° C (-90.04° F) in Siberia and -89° C (-128.2° F) measured in Vostok in Antarctica.
After covering the wind and wind chill in Everest, let's talk about the formations of Everest. This mountain has a pyramid shape that drastically affects the winds and clouds around it. It produces a rare cloud type known as a "Banner Cloud." The Banner Cloud can be seen on otherwise cloudless days on the left side of the mountain and forms as strong winds wrap around the mountain. This, in turn, creates a temporary low-pressure cell on the sheltered side, which draws the moisture upwards. Everest is among the few peaks which do this, with another notable name being Matterhorn in Switzerland.
It's said that the shape of the cloud on Everest is actually associated with the wind speed so that at 50mph, the cloud is at a right angle to the peak, and when it's stronger, it tilts down (conversely tilting up when it's weaker).
By now, you should have a general idea regarding Everest's extreme weather. Therefore, you need to know the weather of this region beforehand if you want to stay prepared. There are many methods to do this, and one of the most effective is weather forecasting. Although the accuracy of weather forecasting decreases with its duration, it is fairly accurate in the short term. If you can consistently stay updated with the weather, it can help you stay prepared. For this, you can take the aid of the nearest weather station. The nearest weather station to the summit is at Lobuche and is known as the "Pyramid Station." The weather station is at an elevation of 5,079m and has been operating since 2006. This weather station provides you with accurate forecasts by combining on-the-ground observations with large-scale weather models. It can generally be assumed that the temperature gradient between the base camp and the summit is approximately +1ºC per 150 metres of altitude.
If you have reached this part of the content, you should already know that Everest is a region of extremes. Therefore, it should not be a surprise to know that this region has some of the most extreme climates. While we have covered the extremes in between paragraphs, the following is a list of all the extreme climates you can encounter on Everest.
Mount Everest stands as a testament to the raw power and extreme conditions of nature. While these extreme conditions are great on paper, they pose a severe challenge to those who wish to conquer this mountain range, be it through expeditions or trekking. Therefore, before you decide to conquer this mountain, you should be well aware of the weather and temperature of this mountain range. This includes aspects such as seasons, precipitation patterns, temperatures at the Everest summit and base camp, wind and wind chill, cloud formations, forecasting, and extremes.
In this article, we provided you with a general guide on Mount Everest weather and temperatures. We hope you found this helpful. If you want to know this region in detail and seek 1:1 guidance regarding mountaineering, we are here to fulfil your request. Thank you for reading till the end.
The temperature at the summit is never above freezing. During May, the climbing season, summit temperatures average between -15°F and -26°C.
The best time for climbing is typically in May, when winds slow down, and temperatures are relatively warmer.
Winds can reach hurricane force, exceeding 285 km/h (177 mph).
The monsoon brings frequent rainfall and cloudy days, obscuring the peaks and making climbing conditions unfavourable.
A Banner Cloud is a rare cloud formation seen on the left side of the mountain, formed by strong winds wrapping around the mountain. It's unique to Everest and a few other peaks like the Matterhorn.
During the coldest period (mid-December to the end of January), the summit averages -37°C (-35°F) while the Base Camp averages -17°C (1.4°F).
Everest's lowest temperatures (-70°C) are comparable to the world's coldest recorded temperatures in Siberia (-67.8°C) and Antarctica (-89°C).
May offers a short window with slower winds and relatively warmer temperatures, making climbing conditions more favourable.
