Does Mount Everest’s record wet summer point to a ‘profound change’ in the Earth’s climate?
Rain and snow are falling on the world’s highest peak at twice their normal rates at a time of extreme weather globally, Chinese scientists say
In an extraordinary event for the world’s highest peak, rain and snow are falling on Mount Everest this summer at twice their normal rates, reflecting a global trend of extreme weather and perhaps even a “profound change” in the Earth’s climate system, scientists have warned.
“It has been several months,” said Wang Zhongyan, executive director of the Qomolangma Atmospheric and Environmental Observation and Research Station, located on the giant mountain’s northern slope.
“We have not seen the blue sky for a day. The sky is always grim. The temperature is low. This is quite unusual.”
Working under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wang and his colleagues live and work in the station’s headquarters more than 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) above sea level in Tibet’s Zhaxizong prefecture. Qomolangma is the Chinese name for Everest.
Part of their work is processing environmental data collected at various high-altitude observation sites below Everest’s summit, which extends to 8,850 metres.
Wang said precipitation recorded during this summer’s rainy season so far has been “100 per cent” greater than the long-term average. He declined to provide exact rain and snowfall figures pending further scientific analysis.
“We must treat the results with absolute care and prudence,” before releasing the information to the public, he said on Wednesday.