Study on impact of the South Asian summer monsoon on the down‐valley wind on the northern slope of Mt. Everest

Abstract

Based on the observational data from the HEST2006 campaign in the Rongbuk Valley on the northern slope of Mt. Everest, in June, 2006, the variation of surface wind in the Rongbuk Valley and possible impact of the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) on the surface wind are analyzed. During the observation campaign, SASM experienced a break stage and an active stage in middle and late June, 2006, respectively. The surface wind variation measured in the Rongbuk Valley is closely related to the SASM evolution, with a strong down‐valley wind coinciding with the break stage of SASM and a weak down‐valley wind with the active stage. It is suggested that the impact of SASM on the surface wind on the northern slope of Mt. Everest can be attributed to change of radiation conditions.