Clear skies, calm winds... That is the autumn hikers on Mount Everest have come to love. But that seems to be changing.
Meteorologists say monsoon now stretches into autumn, which is traditionally mountain tourism season. Last weekend, a shock blizzard stranded hundreds of tourists near Everest.
Nearly 600 trekkers were guided to safety; however, one person died from hypothermia and altitude sickness. Communication lines suffered major disruption due to heavy rainfall and snow, exacerbating the crisis.
This unusual weather pattern, occurring at a time traditionally believed to be safe for trekking, highlights a significant change in climate dynamics affecting the region.
Riten Jangbu Sherpa, a mountain guide, noted that frequent storms have been damaging to the trekking and mountaineering business.
Monitoring of weather patterns by Nepal's hydrology department reveals that monsoons now commonly last until mid-October, leading to unpredictable precipitation that increases risks on the mountain.
Weather experts point to a growing interaction between monsoon systems and westerly disturbances as a key factor contributing to the intensification of storms and snowfall, disrupting what was once a reliable trekking season.
With scientists confirming that changing climate conditions are leading to more extreme weather, the challenge for climbers and guides is adapting to these unpredictable patterns as they navigate one of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges.
