I summited Whitney Oct 1, 2022, after going over Kearsarge Pass on Sep 27. It was around 30 degrees above Guitar Lake the night before, but otherwise the weather was fine. There were cumulus clouds on Sep 27, but no rain. I was rained on near Mt Rose Nevada on Sep. 6. Rain (or snow) is probably more likely the later it gets. The trail down from Whitney was clear, except for a line of ice on the trail in the cable section coming down. I walked over rocks on the uphill side of the trail and avoided the ice. In heavier snow years, I suspect crampons and either a hiking stick or ice axe would be a good idea. The cables leaned out over the slope, so they didn't look usable as hand holds, but only to catch you if you were sliding off the trail onto the rocks. Good luck!
