Author : Kabore/Bontogho Tog-Noma Patricia Emma, Ibrahim Boubacar, Barry Boubacar and Helmschrot Joerg

Knowledge of climate variability is relevant and challenging to farmers, decision makers and the population in general. Ninety percent of Burkina Faso working population is engaged in agriculture which accounts for 39% of gross domestic product. Located in central Burkina, the basin has four dams, of which the most important Loumbila is managed for the capital’s water supply. A change of climate may affect the water resources most likely and is expected to limit the access to sufficient quality water. In order to characterize climate variability and changes, long-term records of temperature and precipitation (1961 to 2012) were analyzed. By applying R-climdex and R, indices were calculated based on an approach recommended by the World Meteorological Organization Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices. Four indices related to precipitation and other related to temperature were selected. Results show that signs of changing climate in Massili have already emerged including a slight decrease of total precipitation amount and also a delayed rainfall onset along with an earlier cessation resulting to a shorter rainfall period. Although the total precipitation decreased in the basin, occurrence of extremely wet days has slightly increased. The cold spell has decreased while warm spell has increased.

Keywords: Climate variability, climate change, Burkina Faso, Massilli Basin, climate indices, onset and cessation, dry spells.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.5, No.3 (June-2015)