Influence of Climatic Variability on Seasonal Rainfall Patterns in the Poro Region (Northern Cote d'Ivoire)

Anzoumanan Kamagate, Blaise Koffi Yao, Houebagnon Saint Jean Patrick Coulibaly, Koffi Claude Alain Kouadio

Abstract: In West Africa, in general, and in the Sahelo-Saharan zone in particular, socio-economic development is greatly influenced by rainfall variability. The Poro region, located in the Sahelo-Saharan zone, is also affected by the changing climate. The objective of this study is to characterize the influence of climatic events on seasonal rainfall patterns in the Poro region. The analysis of air temperature, relative air humidity, and variation of rainfall indices allowed us to characterize the climatic manifestation in the Poro region. Also, the comparison of monthly rainfall normal over the period 1901-2021 led to a good understanding of the behavior of seasonal rainfall patterns in the context of climatic variability in the study area. It is concluded that air temperature and relative humidity are factors in the temporal variability of seasonal rainfall patterns in the Poro region.

Keywords: climatic variability, seasonal rainfall, SPI, Poro region