Tibet Climate in October

According to the statistics provide by the Tibet Meteorological Bureau, the amount of precipitation in most regions in Tibet is much larger compared to the average amount in the same period of the previous years.

Just like the other regions in the world, the probability of the extreme weather conditions increases with the intensifying global warming. The sudden strong rainfall in summer and heavy snow in winter happen more frequently compared to the past years. Most areas in Tibet Autonomous Region have suffered two sudden snows since early October. Most regions in Southern Tibet suffered snow between October 13th and 15th under the influence of the vortex strike from India. It is reported that southern Shigatse Prefecture and Nagqu Prefecture suffered heavy snowfall during those days. The middle and eastern parts of Nagqu Prefecture and northern Qamdo Prefecture were attacked by heavy snow between October 19tha and 22nd under the combined influence of the warm moist flow from the south and the cold air from the north. At the same time, Nyingchi Prefecture suffered middle rainfall.

According to the director of the climatic prediction department of Tibet Meteorological Bureau, Tibet has suffered two heavy snowfalls in October this year. The meteorological statistics between 2008 and 2012 present that the heavy snowfall or rainfall happens rarely in early winter in Tibet. The precipitation in early October in most areas in Tibet surpasses the average precipitation amount in the same period of the past years. The amount of the precipitation in the river basin areas surpasses the average amount by 10 to 50 percent, including Shigatse Prefecture, Shannan Prefecture and Lhasa City. The amount of the precipitation in Northern Tibet surpasses the average amount by 20 to 70 percent, including Qamdo Prefecture and Nagqu Prefecture.

October is widely regarded as the transit season of the weather condition in Tibet. Most of the areas in Tibet would be influenced by the warm moist air current from the south. There is large precipitation amount in the first half of October due to the combined influence of warm moist air current from the south and the cold air current from the north. Most areas in Tibet will be under the control of the cold air current from the north.

Though these two heavy snowfalls have effect on the transportation to the spots with higher altitude, tourists making a Tibet tour in late October could also visit Mt. Everest Base Camp or Lake Namtso conveniently for relevant department has organized staff to ensure the road transportation safety. Tourists willing to visit these places should note that the temperature in the night is even lower in these scenic spots with higher altitude and it is necessary to prepare enough cold-proof stuffs (such as a down jacket and a suitable sleeping bag) if you are planning to spend a night over there. Tourists who don't have a good adaptation in Lhasa are not advised to visit the spots with higher altitude in winter season since the oxygen content in the air is pretty low under the cold weather and it is easy to suffer the altitude sickness in these places in winter.