13 Jan 2020 Prakash Devkota
Climate versus Weather
Climate is the weather condition prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. It is the pattern of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation, and other meteorological variables of a region over a long period. Climate differs from weather, which is the present condition of these variables over a shorter period.
Nepal’s General Climate
Nepal is a small landlocked country. Nepal’s latitudinal variation is also very less. It differs some 4 degrees only. However, Nepal experiences a wide range of climates. It has a variety of climates ranging from Tropical Climate, Sub-Tropical, Warm, Temperate, Sub-arctic or Alpine to fully Arctic or Tundra. In the north, summers are cool and winters are severe. Similarly, in the south, summers are tropical and winters are mild.
List of Similar Articles:
- Location of Mount Everest
- Where is Mount Everest?
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- Weather at Mount Everest
- Nepali Official’s Reach Mount Everest
Back to >> Everest Expedition
Nepal basically experiences spring, summer/monsoon, autumn and winter seasons. In Nepal, nearly 6º C temperature decreases in each 1000m altitude gain. In the Terai region, summer temperature exceeds more than 40º C and higher in some areas.
Winter temperature ranges between 7º C to 23º C in Terai region. In the Mountainous regions, hills and valleys; summers are temperate while winter temperature can get under sub-zero. The Kathmandu Valley has a pleasant climate with an average summer and winter temperature of 19º C- 35º C and 2º C to 12º C respectively.
Weather at Mount Everest
The weather and climate of Mount Everest are one of the extremes. In general, the weather of Mount Everest is hostile. The temperature at the summit of the Mount Everest is below the freezing point all throughout the year. During January, the temperature drops as low as -60º C (-76º F). The average temperature at the Mount Everest Summit is -36º C in January and the average summit temperature in July is -19º C (-2º F).
Generally, in the Everest, it is cooler at night and a bit warmer during the day time. Everest receives snow or rainfall almost every day in summer. Everest receives heavy snowfall from December to February. It is the matter of the fact that Everest or the Himalayas is the 3rd heavily concentrated region besides the poles.
Beginner Climbers can do:
Mera Peak Climbing | Island Peak Climbing with EBC | Lobuche Peak Climbing
Despite the extremely low temperature, the snowstorm is the most common issue to discuss the weather at Mount Everest. The wind becomes violent during dead winter from November to February, the global south-west flowing jet stream moves in from the north that produces winds of hurricane force. This beats the summit with an average speed of 285km/hr.
The weather at Mount Everest is unpredictable and mysterious. The wind can also start on pre or post-monsoon season also. Winter storms are very dangerous. However, wind with an average of 160 km/hr is its average level.
Overall, Mount Everest has a classic alpine climate. This type of climate is characterized by extremely low temperature all the year-round, perpetual snows, very thin air, and frequent high-speed wind. This kind of climate is really very complicated.
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Best time to visit/climb Mount Everest
Trekking and climbing Mount Everest is not possible all the year-round. It is only available in a short period of April to Mid May and September to October. The harsh climate in winter and deadly monsoon in summer make it extremely difficult and dangerous to climb Mount Everest. Therefore, Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to climb Mount Everest.
During spring and autumn seasons, the average temperatures vary between 15º C to 25º C. Moreover, these two seasons are characterized by clear weather and blue sky. These two seasons are the ideal seasons for breathtaking views at the Everest region. Even at the Mount Everest Base Camp, the temperature at night is below 0º C all the year-round.
The temperature at the Everest varies significantly even within a single day. Though the temperature rises up to 10º C during the day time, it drops far below zero degrees during the night. Thus, Everest welcomes everyone with extremely harsh weather and dangerous circumstances.
Beginner climbers can do: Mt Kyajo Ri Peak Climbing, Nirekha Peak Climbing
Seasonal Climatic Condition at Mount Everest
According to the Meteorological Station on the foot of Mount Everest, the annual average temperature of Mount Everest is -29º C. The record explains that February is the coldest time of the Mount Everest while August is the hottest month.
Mount Everest is severe cold all throughout the year and temperature varies widely from day and night. Though the general climatic condition of Mount Everest is severe cold, Mount Everest has different climatic features in each season. Let’s have a look.
Spring Weather at Everest
Spring is no doubt the best season to visit Mount Everest as we have discussed above. The weather at spring is characterized by bright days with clear skies and few clouds. This season is ideal for magnificent views. During this season the daytime temperature is around 15º C whereas the night time temperature is about -1º C. Therefore, this season is still warm enough to be comfortable.
- Spring: March, April, May
Summer/Monsoon at the Everest
Everest Receives much rainfall during the monsoon means June to September. Temperature is also high during these days. The daytime temperature increases up to 22º C. The night temperature falls pretty low. The Tibetan face of the Everest is not yet wet. The area will be muddy due to frequent heavy rainfall and it will be hard to travel to the Everest at this time.
- Summer/Monsoon: June, July, August
Autumn Weather at Everest
This is another best time to visit Mount Everest. There will be clear blue skies after the monsoon rains. Bright sun shines for a long time makes the environment warm enough. The daytime temperature increases up to 17º C. The wind is still strong and cold. Therefore, it makes the night even cooler. The night time temperature drops below -8º C. The summit views will be perfect during autumn because the heavier clouds will have gone.
- Autumn: September, October, November
Winter Weather at Everest
Winter brings the most hostile experiences in the Everest. The climate is harsh during winter in the Everest. January is the coldest month in the Everest. There is no rainfall and the wind will die off a little. However, the snowfall at the middle of the season makes the region even colder. The daytime temperature is around -5º C whereas the night time temperature decreases below -15º C. The days will be sunny and warm even in the winter. That is why the winter season also affords clear views.
- Winter: December, January, February
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Conclusions
Mount Everest has a weird climate since it is severe cold. The climate of Everest is always hostile for us. The harsh climate of the highest mountain in the world is inhospitable for anybody. The weather changes unexpectedly. The temperature drops tremendously, snowstorm outbreaks any time, heavy snowfall, seasonal rainfall are the common features of weather at Everest. If you have a dream to be at the peak of your dream, you need to ascertain careful planning. The peak of your dream is not as easy as you have expected.
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
