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Clear skies, gentle breezes and a breathtaking view of Himalayan summits draped in snow - that is the autumn experience that trekkers on Mount Everest have grown to adore.

But this appears to be changing.

Changing Weather Patterns

Meteorologists indicate the rainy season now stretches into fall, which is traditionally the mountain tourism season.

During this delayed conclusion of monsoon, they have recorded at least one instance of extreme rainfall almost every year for the past ten years, with high-altitude conditions becoming increasingly dangerous.

Latest Emergency on Everest

Recently, a sudden snowstorm stranded several hundred of tourists near the east-facing side of Everest for days in freezing conditions at an elevation of more than 4,900m.

Approximately six hundred hikers were guided to security by the conclusion of that week, according to reports.

A single individual had died from hypothermia and altitude sickness, but the others were said to be in good condition.

Similar Events Across the Region

This was on the northern slope but something similar had developed on the southern slope, where a Korean climber died on Mera Peak.

The international community learned after some delay because communication lines were hit by heavy downpours and heavy snowfall.

Authorities calculate that mudslides and sudden floods in the region have killed approximately sixty individuals over the past seven days.

"This is very unusual for autumn when we expect the weather to stay clear," stated an experienced mountain guide.

Business Consequences

Considering this is the preferred period, frequent extreme weather events like this have "disrupted our trekking and climbing business," he added.

The rainy period in northern India and Nepal usually continues from early summer to mid-September, but not anymore.

"Our data shows that the majority of the annual cycles in the previous decade have had monsoons lasting until the second week of autumn, which is certainly a shift," said a high-ranking meteorology expert.

Growing Weather Severity

More concerning is the heavy precipitation and snow the tail end of the period brings, like it occurred this time on 4 and 5 October.

At elevation in the Himalayas, such severe weather means snowstorms and snowstorms, which constitutes a huge danger for trekking, mountaineering and tourism.

Firsthand Accounts

That's what occurred recently when the conditions shifted very suddenly - the air currents began howling, mercury readings plummeted and sightlines dropped significantly.

The road that had easily led the hikers to what was expected to be a stunning pitstop was now buried in white accumulation and impossible to navigate.

Still, one trekker, who had climbed these mountains more than a twelve occasions, reported he had "not once experienced conditions like this" before.

Scientific Analysis

One major factor is the increased quantity of humidity in the atmosphere because of how the planet has been warming, researchers explain.

That has contributed to heavy precipitation over a short span of time, often after a prolonged period without rain – unlike in the past when monsoon showers were distributed uniformly over the entire season.

A Intensified Monsoon

Climate specialists say the monsoons in South Asia at occasions appear to have become more intense because they are more frequently coming into contact with another weather system, the westerly disturbance.

This is a atmospheric depression that originates in the Mediterranean region and travels east - it carries cold air that brings precipitation and sometimes snowfall to northern India, Pakistan and the Himalayan region.

Climate Warming Effects

Scientists have also discovered that in a warming planet, the growing interaction between westerly disturbances and seasonal rains is producing another unusual outcome.

The hotter air is forcing the weather systems to greater altitudes, which indicates these weather systems are now capable to cross the Himalayas and affect Tibet and additional areas that did not see so much rain in the past.

"The transformation is the predictability of weather patterns; we can't assume that situations will behave the same from season to season," commented an seasoned expedition leader.

"That means adaptable planning, real-time choices, and experienced leadership [in the Himalayas] have become increasingly essential."