Determination of seasonal rainfall variability, onset and cessation in semi-arid Tharaka district, Kenya

Recha, C W and Makokha, G L and Traore, P C S and Shisanya, C and Lodoun, T and Sako, A (2012) Determination of seasonal rainfall variability, onset and cessation in semi-arid Tharaka district, Kenya. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 108 (03). pp. 479-494. ISSN 1434-4483

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Abstract

The study quantified rainfall variability for March–May (MAM) and October–December (OND) seasons in Tharaka district, Kenya. The parameters analysed were inter-annual variability of seasonal rainfall, onset and cessation using daily rainfall data in three agro-ecological zones’ stations. Percentage mean cumulative method was used to determine onset and cessation, and seasonal variability was estimated using rainfall variability indices. Although both seasons are highly variable, OND has been persistently below mean over time while MAM shows high within-season variability. Despite the near uniformity in the mean onset and cessation dates, the former is highly variable on an inter-annual scale. The two rainfall seasons are inherently dissimilar and therefore require specific cropping in agro-ecological zone LM4 and LM4-5. It is possible that farmers in IL5 are missing an opportunity by under-utilising MAM rainfall. The results should be incorporated in implications of climate variability and vulnerability assessment in semi-arid Tharaka district.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	RP-Resilient Dryland Systems
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Seasonal Rainfall Variability, Climate Change, Climatology, Kenya, Rainfall Data
Subjects:	Others Others > Climate Change
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2016 08:44
Last Modified:	07 Sep 2017 05:04
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/9420
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00704-011-0544-3
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	The authors acknowledge financial support from the EU Water Facility Project (no. 9 ACP RPR 50/11) in form of field work support and the African Climate Change Fellowship Programme (2009/2010)—a programme of International SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training (START) and partners for a study fellowship award to the first author. Daily rainfall data were provided by the Kenya Meteorological Department and we are indeed grateful. The anonymous reviewer and Victor Makuto (edited) are thanked for helping improve the quality of this work.
Links:	Google Scholar

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