🔗 Share this article How the Fall Climbing Period Turned Lethal in the Himalayas The autumn hiking season is more and more witnessing extreme conditions Clear heavens, calm breezes and a breathtaking vista of Himalayan peaks covered in white powder - this describes the autumn experience that trekkers on the world's highest peak have grown to adore. But this appears to be changing. Changing Weather Patterns Weather experts say the rainy season now extends into autumn, which is traditionally the high-altitude travel period. During this delayed conclusion of the rainy season, they have recorded at least one occurrence of heavy rainfall almost every year for the previous ten years, with high-altitude weather becoming more hazardous. Recent Emergency on Everest Recently, a unexpected snowstorm trapped hundreds of visitors near the east-facing face of Everest for days in bitterly cold temperatures at an altitude of more than 4,900m. Nearly six hundred trekkers were guided to safety by the conclusion of Tuesday, according to reports. One individual had succumbed from extreme cold and altitude sickness, but the others were reportedly in good condition. Comparable Events Across the Region This was on the northern side but something similar had occurred on the southern slope, where a South Korean mountaineer lost his life on Mera Peak. The world found out after some delay because communications were hit by heavy downpours and significant snow accumulation. Officials calculate that landslides and sudden floods in the region have killed approximately 60 individuals over the past seven days. "This is highly atypical for autumn when we expect the weather to remain clear," said an experienced mountain guide. Business Impact Considering this is the favored season, regular storms like this have "affected our trekking and mountaineering business," he continued. The monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent and Nepal typically continues from early summer to mid-September, but not anymore. "Our data indicates that the majority of the years in the previous decade have had rainy seasons continuing until the middle of autumn, which is definitely a shift," said a senior weather official. Growing Weather Extremes More worrying is the heavy rain and snow the tail end of the season produces, like it did this time on 4 and 5 October. High in the Himalayas, such extreme conditions means blizzards and snowstorms, which constitutes a huge risk for trekking, climbing and tourism. A snowstorm this month trapped hundreds of travelers near the east side of Everest Personal Accounts That's what happened recently when the weather shifted very abruptly - the air currents began howling, mercury readings dropped sharply and sightlines decreased drastically. The path that had easily led the trekkers to what should have been a stunning resting point was now buried in snow and impossible to traverse. Still, one hiker, who had hiked these mountains more than a twelve times, said he had "never encountered weather like these" before. Expert Analysis A primary major driver is the higher amount of humidity in the air because of how the world has been warming, researchers explain. This has contributed to heavy precipitation over a short span of time, often after a prolonged period without rain – unlike in the previous era when seasonal rains were spread evenly over four months. Landslides and flash floods in Nepal over the previous several days have claimed dozens A Turbocharged Monsoon Climate specialists say the rainy seasons in the region at times seem to have become more intense because they are more frequently interacting with another atmospheric phenomenon, the western weather pattern. This is a atmospheric depression that originates in the Mediterranean region and moves eastward - it carries cold air that brings rains and sometimes snow to northern India, neighboring countries and Nepal. Global Warming Effects Scientists have additionally discovered that in a heating world, the growing relationship between western weather systems and seasonal rains is causing an additional unusual outcome. The warmer atmosphere is forcing the weather systems higher, which indicates these weather systems are now capable to cross the Himalayas and reach the Tibetan plateau and additional regions that did not see as much rain before. "What's changed is the reliability of patterns; we cannot presume that conditions will occur the same from year to year," commented an seasoned expedition guide. "This implies adaptable planning, real-time choices, and knowledgeable leadership [in the Himalayas] have become increasingly crucial."