Summit weather and viewing weather
Two questions get mixed up when people ask about Everest weather. The first is what the weather does on the summit, which matters for climbers. The second is whether you can see the mountain from a flight, a viewpoint or a trek, which matters for everyone else. A clear valley does not mean safe conditions on top, and a good flight does not mean a good summit day.
This page gives the mechanisms and the seasonal pattern. It does not give a forecast. For a specific date, use a current mountain forecast from a weather service and your operator's advice. Our climbing page explains the seasons for expeditions and the flight page explains what a mountain flight involves.
How the weather on the summit works
The jet stream decides most of it.
The jet stream moves
NASA describes how the jet stream shifts with the seasons. In May it moves away from the summit for a while, and the wind there eases. This is why climbers on the south side aim for May. It is a pattern, not a forecast for any single day.
Storms can be extreme
NASA names summit winds above 160 km/h and whiteout conditions as possible. Treat these as extreme cases, not as a monthly average or a normal day.
Spring 2026 in practice
A season summary for spring 2026 reports strong winds and delays. A clear view from the valley or a flight that went well therefore says little about how safe the summit is on the same day.
Live summit conditions
Use a current forecast from a weather service for the date in question. Temperature, wind and any summit window change by the hour, and no page should give a fixed figure for them.
Mount Everest flights and tours
Mountain flights, helicopter trips and treks in the Everest region, with live prices and availability.
Kathmandu climate by month
Average figures for the departure city of the mountain flights. They do not describe the mountain.
| Month | Average high °C | Average low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.0 | 2.1 | 14.2 |
| February | 20.2 | 3.8 | 16.7 |
| March | 24.3 | 7.5 | 31.2 |
| April | 27.4 | 11.3 | 54.4 |
| May | 28.2 | 15.5 | 114.2 |
| June | 28.3 | 19.0 | 256.4 |
| July | 27.7 | 20.0 | 359.6 |
| August | 28.0 | 19.7 | 314.2 |
| September | 27.2 | 18.2 | 183.1 |
| October | 25.8 | 13.0 | 59.4 |
| November | 22.7 | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| December | 19.4 | 3.0 | 14.2 |
The values are mean daily highs and lows and mean monthly rainfall for Kathmandu, from the national weather service as shown on the WMO weather portal. Do not apply them to the summit, Rongbuk, Namche or Base Camp. Weather for the Base Camp trek is covered in the best time to go guide of our sister site.
The four seasons
The permit system uses these definitions, which makes them a handy frame.
Spring, March to May
This is the main expedition season in Nepal, and summit attempts bunch up in the May windows. Kathmandu is warm and gets more rain from May.
Summer and monsoon, June to August
Kathmandu has its heaviest rain here, 256 mm in June, 360 mm in July and 314 mm in August. Rain and cloud make this the hardest time to count on a view.
Autumn, September to November
Rain falls steadily from 183 mm in September to 59 mm in October and 7.5 mm in November. Buddha Air has said that autumn and winter bring less cloud for its mountain flights. That is a general tendency, not a guarantee of a clear mountain, and the statement dates from 2019.
Winter, December to February
Kathmandu is dry and cool, with average lows of 2.1 to 3.8 °C and little rain. Weather on the mountain is a different matter, so ask about conditions at your destination before you go.
Whatever the month, plan some slack. A published flight schedule is not a promise that the flight will go, and a hotel room facing the mountain does not clear the sky. The Everest View Trek and the map page help you decide where to look.
Everest weather: frequently asked questions
When is the best weather on Everest?
For climbers on the south side, May brings a short period when summit winds ease as the jet stream moves. That is a seasonal pattern. Individual days still vary a lot.
How windy is the summit?
NASA names winds above 160 km/h as possible in a storm. This is an extreme case, not a normal day, and no average speed is given here.
When is the best time to see Everest on a flight?
An airline has said that autumn and winter bring less cloud. Kathmandu is drier in October, November and the winter months, but nobody can promise a clear view on a given day.
Does the Kathmandu table show the weather on Everest?
No. It shows average conditions in the city where the mountain flights start. The summit, Base Camp and the villages have their own weather.
Is November a good month?
November has the lowest rain in the table, 7.5 mm, and cooler temperatures than the summer. Whether the mountain is visible still depends on the day.