Trends in monthly rainfall and temperature in Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

We analyse Climate Research Unit (CRU) Precipitation (1961-2014) and Temperature (1985-2014) data trends over Rachuonyo North Sub County at 50×50 km resolution. Time series and correlation analysis of the data was carried out. Temporal characteristics of temperature and Rainfall were determined. One sample t-tailed test of hypothesis was carried out. An increasing trend in temperature is observed over the years while a decreasing trend in precipitation is observed by the year 2014. The trends exhibited a cyclic and Seasonal pattern with Increasing Variability. Descriptive statistics revealed Rainfall and Temperature Means of 119.8 mm and 19.6 °C respectively. The results of one tailed t-test revealed that the change in Rainfall and temperature patterns over the area of study were not statistically significant.

Keywords: Climate Change, Temperature, Rainfall Trend, Rachuonyo, Kenya