Everest Base Camp Weather: Month-by-Month Guide

The Two Everest Trekking Windows

The Everest region has two dependable trekking seasons: autumn (late September to late November) and spring (March to late May). Autumn brings the clearest air of the year after the monsoon washes the sky clean; spring brings warmer nights and rhododendron blooms low on the trail. The other months are trekkable in parts, but with real trade-offs — snow blocking passes in winter, cloudy views and leech-free but muddy trails in monsoon.

Because the Khumbu sits in a partial rain-shadow of the main Himalayan range, it gets noticeably less monsoon rain than Annapurna or Langtang. That does not mean flights are reliable in monsoon — Lukla flights are still frequently grounded by cloud from June through August.

Temperatures Across the Trek

Temperature drops roughly 6 °C for every 1,000 m of altitude gained, and night-time cold at the high villages is the toughest part of any EBC trek. These are typical ranges you can plan against.

The ranges above are seasonal averages for a normal year. Add wind chill on any exposed ridge — a still -15 °C morning at Kala Patthar can feel like -25 °C the moment the wind picks up. This is why the EBC packing list insists on a -20 °C rated sleeping bag and a proper down jacket.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January and February — Deep winter

Cold and often clear, but many upper-lodge kitchens close and snow can shut sections of the trail past Dingboche. Nights at Gorak Shep fall to -25 °C. Only trek this window if you are experienced with winter mountaineering conditions and are prepared for hard snow underfoot.

March — Early spring

Days warm quickly at Namche and below. Higher up it is still winter-cold and snow patches remain on north-facing switchbacks. The sky is usually clear. A good month for photographers who want mountain views without autumn crowds.

April — Peak spring

The classic pre-monsoon month. Days are warm, rhododendrons bloom around Namche and Tengboche, Everest expedition teams begin arriving at Base Camp. Views are excellent early but can turn hazy by late April as pre-monsoon moisture builds. Trails and teahouses are busy.

May — Warm and slowly hazier

Warmest days of the year, still cold at night. The first half of May often has the best combination of warm days and clear mornings. By the last week of May pre-monsoon storms and afternoon cloud roll in.

June, July, August — Monsoon

Muddy trails, leeches low down, cloudy peaks. The Khumbu's rain-shadow means it rains less than the Annapurna region, but Lukla flights are frequently grounded for days at a time, which can strand you either in Kathmandu or, worse, in Lukla on your way out. Flowers are beautiful and lodges are empty and cheap — but visibility is poor and the trip is a lottery.

Late September and October — Peak autumn

The single best window of the year. The monsoon washes dust and haze from the sky, days are warm-ish, nights are cold but survivable, and the views are as sharp as they get. Expect crowds, especially in October, and book Namche and Dingboche lodges ahead.

November — Cold but clear

Late-autumn crispness. Fewer trekkers than October, still excellent visibility, but nights above Dingboche start to bite. A great month for solitude if you can handle -15 °C at Gorak Shep.

December — Early winter

Trekkable to base camp in the first half of the month with adequate gear and a guide who knows current conditions, but very cold, and some upper lodges begin to close. See the best-time guide for a decision matrix.

Snow, Flights and Wind Risk

• Snow past Dingboche (4,410 m) is possible in any month but the norm from mid-November through mid-March. Serious snow can slow the final approach to Gorak Shep to a crawl.
• Lukla flights are the biggest weather variable. Any cloud below the ridges grounds the airport. Losing 1–3 days to weather is common in April, May and October; monsoon delays can be much worse. Always leave a buffer at the end of your trip so a weather day does not eat your international flight home.
• Wind on Kala Patthar can pick up fast at dawn. Even in October a still summit can turn into a gale within minutes; a proper windproof shell is not optional.