planning an Everest Base Castra Iter means preparing for much more than cold weather. Weather can vary dramatically with altitude, and conditions can change a lot during the day. A sunny morning can be warm and pleasant, but it can chill out in the evening when the sun sets.
Also, temperatures at Base Camp on Everest vary by season. Conditions are more stable in spring and autumn; winter is extremely cold, and the summer monsoon season often brings clouds, rain, and reduced visibility. March to May and October to November are key trekking periods, while June to September is affected by monsoon weather.
The exact elevation of Everest Base Camp (5380 m / 17,650 ft) varies slightly by source.
The temperatures listed are approximate planning temperatures and not a forecast. Conditions vary from year to year.
Everest Base Camp Temperature by Month: Quick Summary
| Month | Typical Day Temperature | Typical Night Temperature | General Tempestas | Conditiones Itineris |
| January | About 0°C to 4°C | About −12°C to −17°C | Very cold and dry | Cold, snowy and quiet |
| February | About 2°C to 4°C | About −12°C to −15°C | Frigidus et siccus | Frigus cum nive possibili |
| Itinere | About 3°C to 7°C | About −10°C to −12°C | Frigidus ad lenis | Condiciones emendantes |
| April | About 6°C to 10°C | About −5°C to −9°C | Lenis et plerumque clara | New |
| May | About 8°C to 15°C | About 0°C to −8°C | Mild, increasingly cloudy | Good, especially early May |
| June | About 9°C to 17°C | About −4°C to 5°C | Calidiores sed humidiores | Rain and cloud increase |
| July | About 10°C to 16°C | About −1°C to 8°C | Humidum et nubilum | Condiciones monsonicae |
| August | About 10°C to 16°C | About −1°C to 6°C | Humidum et nubilum | Condiciones monsonicae |
| September | About 6°C to 17°C | About −2°C to 2°C | Melior post pluviam | Better toward late month |
| October | About 4°C to 12°C | About −7°C to −8°C | Cool, dry and clear | optimum |
| November | About 0°C to 7°C | Circa −12°C | Frigidus et siccus | Good but increasingly cold |
| December | About −13°C to 4°C | Circa −15°C | Very cold and dry | provocantes |
The above figures are approximate averages of the Everest Base Camp climate tables as published. Weather can vary by exact location, altitude, day, and year, so figures differ.
Why Is Everest Base Camp So Cold?
It’s mostly because of altitude. In Nepal, the average temperature drops about 6°C for every 1,000 m (3,281 ft) increase in elevation.
The Everest Base Camp route also descends from the warmer lower valleys to a high alpine area. Namche Bazaar is around 3,500 m (11,483 ft), while Kala Patthar reaches about 5,545 m (18,192 ft).
This is because temperatures in Lukla may differ significantly from those at Base Camp.
Another important factor is the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. When the sun is shining, a chilly morning may feel quite pleasant while you are out walking. After the sun sets, temperatures can drop rapidly.
January: The Coldest Part of Winter
In general, January is one of the coldest months of the year in the Everest Region. Below 10°C (14°F) temperatures can occur at night at Base Camp and temperatures of 0°C or below can occur during the day.
Higher areas of the path may still have snow and ice. In winter, some accommodation and services may be limited.
Warm clothes and an appropriate sleeping bag are necessary for those who go in January.
Quid exspectas:
- Extremely chilly mornings and nights
- Snowy and icy sections of the trail.
- Mountain visibility is good with clear skies.
- A few, far fewer than in spring or autumn!
- Horae diurnae breviores
February: Cold but Gradually Improving
February stays cold, especially at night. Gradually better weather sets in during the day; however, in higher areas, snow and freezing temperatures are still possible.
February is the second month of winter, but may be more pleasant than January at lower elevations; at high elevations, winter conditions are expected.
A quality down jacket, thermal layers, gloves, and warm sleeping gear are important.
March: Winter Starts Giving Way to Spring
The trekking season starts in March. Days start to warm up, and walking during the day becomes easier.
Even at Base Camp, nights can drop below -10°C (14°F), especially early in the month. Snow is still possible at higher elevations.
Springs are beginning to show up along lower portions of the trail; higher areas remain solidly alpine.
For those who wish to trek in March, here are some benefits:
- Conditiones frigidiores
- There are fewer people than in April
- Increasingly longer daylight
- An opportunity to view spring vegetation at lower elevations.
- The option of good mountain views in clear weather.
April: A Popular Month for Trekking
The Everest Base Camp trek is a relatively comfortable month in April. Daytime temperatures ease up, but it will still be cold at high altitudes.
The mornings and evenings are still chilly, particularly around Gorak Shep and Base Camp. However, when it is sunny and you are walking, many trekkers feel comfortable during the day.
In the lower parts of the Everest region, spring is also the time of rhododendron flowers. March to May are among the main seasons for visiting Sagarmatha National Park.
May: Warmer Days Before the Monsoon
May is usually warmer than April. It can be a comfortable walking temperature during the day, but not so warm at night.
The first half of May is more ideal for trekking as moisture and clouds slowly creep up as the monsoon sets in.
As the month draws to a close, the sky may become cloudier, so you may need a little flexibility in your plans.
June: Warmer but Increasingly Wet
June is the start of the monsoons in Nepal. The weather is quite mild for most of the year, though rainy and cloudy days take on greater significance.
Some parts of the route may receive much more rain than the higher areas. Clouds can obscure mountain views, and trails can be soggy and slippery.
Cloudy skies and poor visibility in the region can also make flights to and from Lukla less predictable.
July: Monsoon at Its Peak
July’s usually one of Nepal’s wettest months. In Nepal, about 80% of annual rainfall falls during the monsoon season, from June to September.
Spring and autumn are less rainy and cloudy than in the Everestissima. Lower areas will be wetter, and even higher areas may not warm up.
Communes conditiones include:
- Cloudy skies
- Heavy rainfall in lower areas
- Muddy and slippery trails
- Reduced mountain visibility
- Morae volatus possibiles
- Fewer trekkers
August: Warmest Period but Still Wet
August has weather patterns similar to July. Weather conditions are mild, but rain and cloudy skies remain on the road.
The lower valleys are green during the rainy season. But mountain vistas are less certain when it comes to clear views.
If you opt for August, pack waterproof clothing and allow extra time for travel and trail conditions.
September: Transition Toward Autumn
September is a transition month. There are still chances of monsoon rain early in the month; toward the end, the weather may be more settled.
As the monsoon wanes, visibility is usually better. As fall arrives, so do the temperatures.
September can be very different toward the end of the month than at the beginning, especially in terms of cloud cover and how wet the trails are.
October: Cool, Dry and Clear
October is considered a big trekking month in the Everest region. October and November are an important time of the year in Sagarmatha National Park.
The monsoon has mostly withdrawn, and skies are clearer, with drier trails. The temperatures during the day are cool, not warm and at higher elevations, nights are cold.
If you prefer clear mountain views, October is a month worth considering.
The only downside is that the trail is popular and can get congested, especially around Namche Bazaar and the higher settlements.
November: Cold but Generally Dry
The dry autumn continues in November, but it gets much colder, especially later in the month.
It is pleasant to walk during the day in sunshine, but mornings and evenings are cold. High elevation areas can experience temperatures well below freezing.
November offers excellent visibility due to the dry conditions and can be a very appealing time to trek as the weather is cooler and often very clear.
December: Winter Returns
Winter is now in the offing, and December is the first month of the colder season. High-elevation daytime temperatures remain cool, and overnight temperatures can be very cold.
Slight snowfall is possible on higher sections of the route. With the onset of winter, fewer trekkers are on the trail.
When planning a trip for December, make sure your travel plans, lodging, and transportation can accommodate changing weather.
How Temperature Changes Along the Trek
The monthly average temperature of Everest Base Camp gives you a helpful overview of what to expect at your destination, but it doesn’t reflect the entire trek.
For example, Lukla is around 2,860 m (9,383 ft), while Namche Bazaar is around 3,500 m (11,483 ft). Everest Base Camp is around 5,380 m (17,650 ft).
Generally, temperatures decrease as you ascend.
That’s why it is better to pack for multiple climatic zones than to “take a chance” on the weather being uniform along the route.
Best Months for Comfortable Weather
The trekking season is mainly spring and autumn.
Ver: Martius ad Maium
- Gradually warmer temperatures
- Clear days for good visibility.
- At lower elevations, rhododendrons flower.
- The month of April is typically a busy one
Autumnus: September ad Novembrem
- After monsoon season, weather improves.
- October and November are normally dry.
- Visibility in the mountains is generally excellent.
- November sees a decrease in temperatures.
Sagarmatha National Park is a crucial time for March, April, and May, and October and November.
What to Pack for Everest Base Camp Weather
Your clothing system should consist of layers you can add or remove depending on the temperature.
Essential clothing
- Moisture-wicking base layers.
- A warm mid-layer, such as fleece.
- Tunica plumis insulata
- Waterproof outer jacket
- Bracae trekking impermeabiles
- Caligae itinerariae calidae
- scelerisque indusia
- Chirothecae calidae
- Pileus laneus vel laneus
- sol hat
- ocularia solaria
- Good quality trekking boots
- A warm sleeping bag is essential for sleeping at high altitudes.
Practical Tips for Dealing With the Cold
- Vestimenta stratis gere. When you need to remove a layer, it’s easier to do so when you’re moving than when you’re stuck in a thick coat.
- Don’t forget to protect your hands and feet. Cold weather quickly makes fingers and toes uncomfortable.
- Prevent water from freezing. Insulated bottles can be helpful at higher elevations in winter.
- Use sunscreen. Strong high-altitude UV radiation doesn’t go away when it’s cold.
- Look at the forecast before you leave in the morning. The monthly climate table doesn’t always reflect mountain conditions accurately.
- Do not judge temperature only by the daytime. Daytime and nighttime temperatures can vary significantly, even when the sun is shining.
Temperature Is Not the Only Weather Concern
The cold at Everest Base Camp is one aspect of the weather situation. The weather also plays a part in the trekking experience as it can be affected by both wind and snowfall, by cloud and by rain, or by a combination of these elements, as well as visibility and altitude.
The altitude of interest in particular. The Nepal Tourism Board advises pausing for acclimatization in the Everest region as there can be steep climbs.
Itineraries generally include acclimatization days, which you should not skip.
Weather can also impact flight and trail conditions. This is especially important in the monsoon season and when visibility is low.
finalis Cogitata
The month-wise temperatures at the base of Everest help you decide when to trek and what to pack. The lowest temperature is in the winter, and there is the possibility of snow during this season; the spring has gradually warmer weather; the summer is impacted by monsoon weather; and the autumn has generally cooler and drier weather.
Temperatures vary throughout the Everest Base Camp trek. The weather changes from day to night, season to season, and with rising and falling elevations – and with the presence or absence of sunshine or wind. The figures presented in this guide are for planning and should not be interpreted as a definitive prediction.
Many trekkers plan their trips to coincide with the main spring and autumn seasons, when the weather is generally more agreeable for both trail and visibility conditions and temperatures. It’s always a good idea to check the mountain forecasts just before you go anywhere.