Rainfall and Temperature Trend Analysis at Indibir Station, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia where crop production overly depends on rainfall and temperature, studying the trend of these climate variables at a local scale is essential to devise proper strategies that enhance adaptive capacity. In light of this, a study was conducted in Indibir station, Gurage Zone to analyze rainfall and temperature trend. Data on climate variables (1986-2015) were obtained from National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia. Mann-Kendall test was used for the analysis of trend in rainfall and temperature from 1986 to 2015 time period and carried out by XLStata softwares. The analyzed data indicated the respective annual and kiremt rainfall amounts were found to increase by a factor of 4.5 and 6.15 mm/year. However, the seasonal belg rainfall amount decreased by -2.23 mm/year and it was not statistically significant for the study period of 1986 to 2015. Respective annual and belg maximum temperature showed an increasing trend by a factor of 0.03 and 0.06 OC/year, but a decreasing trend was observed in kiremt maximum temperature by -0.13 OC/year. Minimum temperature revealed a decreasing trend at annual, belg and kiremt seasons by a factor of -0.2, -0.16 and -0.1 OC/year, respectively. Development planners of the area should design strategies and plans by taking into account a declining belg rainfall and increasing temperature impacts on livelihood of local communities.