Analysis of rainfall and temperature variabilities in Sidama regional state, Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to examine local-scale fluctuation in precipitation and temperature in selected districts of Sidama regional state. Specifically, it focuses on three districts-Hawassa Zuriya, Wonsho, and Hula-using precipitation and temperature records obtained from the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) database which covers the period from 1981 to 2022. Various statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, as well as coefficient of variation was employed to detect fluctuation. For trend detection, the Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen's slope tests were also employed. Observations revealed that the average yearly precipitation spatially varied from 1331 mm in Hula, followed by 1275 mm in Wonsho, and 1013 mm at Hawassa Zuriya. Rainfall was bimodal which 53% rains in Kiremt and 33% in Belg season respectively. Annual rainfall show relatively low variability (<20%) for Hula and Wonsho districts, and moderate variability (CV˃20%) for Hawassa Zuriya respectively. The findings also revealed noticeable rising tendencies (p < 0.05) for average temperature across all three agroecosystems over the years under consideration with the highest slope at Hawassa Zuriya (0.038 °C/year), followed by Hula (0.031 °C/year), and Wonsho (0.022 °C/year) respectively. Moreover, both temperature and rainfall exhibited spatial and inter-annual variability. The results of this study necessitate farmers for systematic planning and implementing location specific crop calendar in the context of fluctuating climatic settings. Policy-makers as well as development practitioners can also utilize the finding to better devise and execute plans for adapting and minimizing the effects of climate change.