Average Rainfall on Mount Everest

Precipitation on the World's Highest Peak

Mount Everest is extremely dry—essentially a cold desert at altitude.

Summit (8,848 m)

• Annual precipitation: ~300 mm (12 in) water equivalent.
• Form: Almost entirely snow; liquid rain virtually nonexistent.
• Seasonality: Most falls in summer (monsoon influence) and winter (western disturbances).

Base Camp Areas (5,000–5,500 m)

• South Base Camp (Nepal): ~500–1,000 mm/yr; mostly summer snow.
• North Base Camp (Tibet): ~200–300 mm/yr; drier, more continental.

Lower Slopes (3,000–4,000 m)

• Khumbu Valley: 1,000–2,000 mm/yr; distinct monsoon (Jun–Sep) rain/snow.
• Supports alpine meadows, shrubs, forests lower down.

Why So Dry?

• Rain shadow: Himalayas block Indian monsoon; Everest is on/near crest.
• Cold air holds little moisture: Saturation vapor pressure at −20°C is ~1 mb.
• High winds: Sublimate/erode snow; prevent accumulation.

Comparison

Seattle: 950 mm. Amazon: 2,500+ mm. Everest summit: ~300 mm. It's one of the driest high mountains on Earth.

Climbers face dehydration risk, not drowning.