How’s Everest Base Camp Weather in October and November?

Everest Base Camp weather in October and November is the single biggest reason autumn tops most trekkers’ shortlists for the Khumbu region.

The monsoon clears out by mid-September, and what follows is two months of the steadiest skies the Everest region sees all year. However, “steady“ does not mean identical from one week to the next!

Temperature, wind, and snow conditions shift noticeably between early October and late November, and that shift matters for what you pack and how you plan your days.

This guide breaks down both months on their own terms, so you can decide which autumn weeks suit your trek best.

Why Autumn is the Benchmark Season for EBC?

Once the monsoon retreats, dust and moisture drop out of the air fast. Mornings turn crisp, afternoons stay mild at lower elevations, and the cloud buildup that blocks views in spring rarely forms.

For instance, Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are usually visible from Namche and Tengboche on most clear mornings throughout this window.

And this is also why flights into Lukla run more reliably in autumn than in any other season, since low cloud and wind are the main causes of delays.

Everest Base Camp Weather in October

October opens with warm afternoons at lower elevations and closes noticeably cooler as the month wears on.

Temperature Through October

At Namche and Tengboche, daytime temperatures typically sit between 10°C and 16°C in direct sun.

Near Everest Base Camp itself, daytime highs run closer to 5°C to 12°C, dropping fast once the sun drops behind the ridgeline.

Nights at Gorak Shep and Base Camp commonly fall to -5°C to -10°C, and clear, windless nights can push a few degrees colder still.

Wind, Snow, and Rainfall in October

Wind stays relatively gentle in October, averaging around 8 to 11 km/h at lower elevations and picking up somewhat above 4,500 m.

Rainfall is minimal, usually under 15 mm for the entire month. Snow is uncommon in early October, though the first light dustings at high camps sometimes appear in the final week as the season transitions toward November.

Visibility and Trail Conditions

Because the air stays dry, visibility is consistently strong. Trails are firm and mostly dry as well, aside from occasional icy patches near Dingboche and Lobuche in the early mornings.

The trade-off is crowding, since October remains the busiest month on the trail. Lodges fill quickly in Namche, Dingboche, and Gorak Shep, so booking ahead matters more here than in any other month!

Everest Base Camp Weather in November

November carries autumn’s clear skies into a colder, quieter stretch of the season.

Temperature Through November

Daytime temperatures at Base Camp typically range from 0°C to 8°C in early November, sliding toward -2°C to 5°C by the final week.

Nighttime lows are sharper too. Expect -10°C to -15°C at Gorak Shep and Base Camp, with late-month nights occasionally dropping toward -18°C during a clear, still spell.

Wind, Snow, and Rainfall in November

Wind speeds rise slightly compared to October, averaging 10 to 15 km/h at higher elevations.

Rainfall is essentially absent. Snowfall becomes more likely as the month progresses, particularly above 4,800 m, though it usually arrives as light dustings rather than heavy accumulation.

A stronger storm can still pass through, so it helps to build a spare day into your itinerary near the pass or high camp sections.

Visibility and Crowds

Skies stay just as reliably clear as in October, sometimes clearer once the peak crowds thin out.

Moreover, trails feel calmer, teahouses have more room to breathe, and photographs of the peaks tend to come out sharper thanks to the drier, colder air.

Late November lodges, especially past Dingboche, do start reducing services as the shoulder season approaches, so this is worth checking before you commit to a late departure.

October vs November: Which Month Fits Your Trek?

Both months deliver reliable weather, so the choice usually comes down to comfort versus crowd tolerance:

• Choose October if you want warmer afternoons, don’t mind sharing the trail, and want the widest range of teahouse options open.
• Choose November, especially the first half, if you prefer quieter trails and don’t mind colder mornings and evenings.
• Avoid the final week of November if extreme cold or possible early snow at high camps would affect your comfort or your itinerary’s flexibility.

Packing for Autumn Weather at Everest Base Camp

Layering matters more than any single “best” jacket in either month. A base layer, an insulated mid layer, and a windproof outer shell cover most daytime conditions.

For nights near Base Camp, add a down jacket rated for at least -15°C, insulated gloves, and a warm sleeping bag liner if your teahouse bedding runs thin.

Furthermore, sunglasses and sunscreen matter as much as cold-weather gear, since UV exposure at altitude stays strong even on cold days!

Permits for the Autumn Trek

Two permits cover the standard route to Everest Base Camp: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.

Both are available in Kathmandu through the Nepal Tourism Board, and the municipality permit can also be arranged in Lukla if you’re flying in directly.

Neither permit requires advance online booking, though we at Everest Trekking Routes handle both as part of our trek packages so you don’t need to queue for paperwork on arrival.

How We Plan Around Autumn’s Weather Patterns?

Our team at Everest Trekking Routes build acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche into every autumn itinerary, timed around the weather pattern each month brings.

Our guides track daily conditions at each stop, which matters most on pass days and around Base Camp itself, where a clear morning can turn windy within a few hours.

So, if you’re weighing October or November for your own trip, reach out and we’ll match the itinerary to your travel dates and comfort with the cold!