Nepal has a temperate climate, with seasons typical of the Northern Hemisphere, but altitude creates distinct variations in this pattern. Weather is ruled by the monsoon, which sweeps up every summer from the Bay of Bengal and makes mid-June to late September wet and humid. The trekking season therefore runs from mid-October to May.
The monsoon disappears with a final burst at the end of September and by the second/third week in October skies are generally clear, with pleasantly mild days and cool nights and good mountain views. Depending on altitude, temperatures might reach 25-30C in the middle of the day and drop to -10C at night. The weather becomes increasingly cooler through November, but the air is still very clear and the mountain views are at their best.
December to February is the winter season, generally clear and dry, with little snow even at higher altitudes, although occasional storms may drop snow as low as 2,500 meters. Days can be quite warm in the sun (20C) but nights are cold with temperatures well below freezing at altitude.
By March the weather is shifting to warmer, wetter spring conditions. Mornings are usually clear but cloud build-up is common in the afternoon and there may be the occasional shower. This pattern continues through April and May and, although there is still plenty of sunshine, the increased moisture and haze in the air does mean that the mountain views are less clear than in the autumn and the daytime temperatures can be uncomfortably warm at lower altitudes. Above 2,500 meters it is still pleasantly mild during the day, nights are less cold, mountain views become clearer as one gains altitude, and there are spectacular displays of rhododendron and other spring flowers.
Mountain weather especially in the Himalayas is at best unpredictable and these notes are only a guide as to what one can expect. All our treks and expeditions are scheduled to coincide with periods of stable weather when the prevailing conditions should be right for each particular departure. However, snow can fall at any time of year causing high altitude passes to become closed and treks to be re-routed. This is unlikely, but should adverse weather conditions enforce a route alteration, any changes will be made at the discretion of the trek leader.
The monsoon disappears with a final burst at the end of September and by the second/third week in October skies are generally clear, with pleasantly mild days and cool nights and good mountain views. Depending on altitude, temperatures might reach 25-30C in the middle of the day and drop to -10C at night. The weather becomes increasingly cooler through November, but the air is still very clear and the mountain views are at their best.
December to February is the winter season, generally clear and dry, with little snow even at higher altitudes, although occasional storms may drop snow as low as 2,500 meters. Days can be quite warm in the sun (20C) but nights are cold with temperatures well below freezing at altitude.
By March the weather is shifting to warmer, wetter spring conditions. Mornings are usually clear but cloud build-up is common in the afternoon and there may be the occasional shower. This pattern continues through April and May and, although there is still plenty of sunshine, the increased moisture and haze in the air does mean that the mountain views are less clear than in the autumn and the daytime temperatures can be uncomfortably warm at lower altitudes. Above 2,500 meters it is still pleasantly mild during the day, nights are less cold, mountain views become clearer as one gains altitude, and there are spectacular displays of rhododendron and other spring flowers.
Mountain weather especially in the Himalayas is at best unpredictable and these notes are only a guide as to what one can expect. All our treks and expeditions are scheduled to coincide with periods of stable weather when the prevailing conditions should be right for each particular departure. However, snow can fall at any time of year causing high altitude passes to become closed and treks to be re-routed. This is unlikely, but should adverse weather conditions enforce a route alteration, any changes will be made at the discretion of the trek leader.
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