May along the trail
| Place | Elevation | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lukla | 2,860 m | +15 °C | +7 °C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | +12 °C | +5 °C |
| Dingboche | 4,410 m | +6 °C | −1 °C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | +1 °C | −5 °C |
Modelled 10-year averages (ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo), checked against the Pyramid research station in the Khumbu, 2016-2025 (within about 1–2 °C of the station's measurements). Temperatures only: the model's rainfall is too coarse to trust in rain-shadow valleys such as Manang, so we leave it out. Mountain valleys and ridges vary more than these grid-model averages show.
Warm days, rising cloud
May is the warmest month of the spring season on the Everest trail. Nights at Gorak Shep are milder than in March or April, but haze and afternoon cloud build as the monsoon approaches.
What to expect
- The best chance of warmer nights up high, as the table above shows.
- Hazier views. Mountain views are often clearest early in the morning.
- Pre-monsoon showers become more likely towards the end of the month.
- Summit season. Expeditions make their summit attempts in May, so Base Camp is busy.
Who it suits
Trekkers who feel the cold and don’t mind softer views, or who want to see Base Camp during summit season.
