Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Mount Everest doesn't experience the traditional four seasons familiar to most of the world. Instead, the world's highest peak operates on a binary seasonal cycle defined by the Asian monsoon system: the summer monsoon (wet season) and the winter monsoon (dry season).
The wet season brings heavy rainfall, persistent cloud cover, frequent thunderstorms, and heightened avalanche risk. Temperatures at the summit remain relatively mild for Everest, averaging between -9°C and -18°C (16°F to -1°F). Despite the warmer temperatures, this is considered the most dangerous climbing period due to unstable snowpack, poor visibility, and the constant threat of avalanches triggered by heavy precipitation.
The dry season brings brutally cold conditions with minimal snowfall. Summit temperatures plummet to an average of -35°C (-31°F), with extremes dropping below -60°C (-76°F). While the lack of heavy snow reduces avalanche risk, the extreme cold and ferocious winds create their own lethal hazards. The dry, stable weather does offer clearer skies and more predictable conditions, which is why most summit attempts occur during the transition windows.
The brief transitional periods—April to May (pre-monsoon) and October to November (post-monsoon)—represent the only viable climbing windows. These periods feature changing weather patterns and unpredictable conditions, but they avoid the extremes of both monsoon seasons. The spring window (April–May) is the most popular for summit attempts, offering the best balance of manageable temperatures and reduced precipitation.