Abstract
This study assessed actual rainfall trends and variability in Baringo County. The objective of the study was to determine whether there were variations in rainfall trends by agro ecological zones. Meteorological rainfall data for the period 1981 to 2010 from three distinct agro-ecological zones covering highland (LH 2), low land (IL 6) and midland (LM 5) was used. The choice of rainfall stations was informed by agro-ecological zones and percentage of missing data. Data were analyzed on annual and monthly basis. Trend analysis and coefficient of variation was used to analyze actual trends and rainfall variability. Trend analysis showed year to year variability in rainfall. The trends were by agro-ecological zones. Annual rainfall in LM5 and IL6 showed decreasing trends while in LH2, it showed increasing trend. IL6 and LH2 exhibits a very high coefficient of variation for annual rainfall (CV > 30%), indicating high rainfall variability. Increasing awareness of climate variability and development of mitigation options will be necessary response strategies in Baringo County. Key words: Rainfall trends, rainfall variability, trend analysis, Baringo County.
Highlights
Climate Change and Climate Variability are two important characteristics of climate
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2014) describes climate change as a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes that persists for an extended period, usually decades or longer
The lowest rainfalls recorded in the same year (1984) in the two agro ecological zones may be linked to the1983 to 1985 droughts which afflicted Africa's dry lands
Summary
Climate Change and Climate Variability are two important characteristics of climate. IPCC (2014) describes climate change as a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes that persists for an extended period, usually decades or longer. An area's climate is always changing, the changes do not usually occur on a time scale that is immediately obvious to people. Climate takes the following elements into account, the most important of which are: Air temperature and humidity, type and amount of cloudiness and precipitation FAO (2007) describes climate variability refers to variations in the mean state and other climate statistics such as standard deviations, and the occurrence of extremes among others on all temporal and spatial scales beyond those of individual
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call