Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Paulino Omoj Omay, Nzioka J. Muthama, Christopher Oludhe, Josiah M. Kinama, Guleid Artan, Zachary Atheru
Summary: The paper investigates the spatial patterns of rainfall onset dates, rainfall cessation dates, and length of rainy season in Eastern Africa. It uses CHIRPS v2.0 and NOAA data to determine these parameters, and presents findings on early and delayed onset/cessation and their effects on the length of rainy season.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shraddhanand Shukla, Greg Husak, William Turner, Frank Davenport, Chris Funk, Laura Harrison, Natasha Krell
Summary: Since 2015, Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a significant increase in acute food insecurity, with over 100 million Africans estimated to need emergency food assistance in 2020. The study shows that delays in the onset of the rainy season can be a critical early indicator of seasonal drought conditions, particularly in East Africa, where even a small delay increases the likelihood of drought. Early warning systems based on onset date can help mitigate the impact of drought and save lives and livelihoods in the most food-insecure regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinling Piao, Wen Chen, Jin-Soo Kim, Wen Zhou, Shangfeng Chen, Peng Hu, Xiaoqing Lan
Summary: The summer rainfall over East China is expected to increase due to a stronger East Asian summer monsoon in a warmer climate. However, the impact of global warming on the seasonality of precipitation remains uncertain and is closely related to monsoon circulation. This study projects future changes in intra-seasonal rainfall characteristics over East China, indicating the need to slow down global warming to mitigate potential adverse impacts.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Weichen Tao, Gang Huang, Pengfei Wang, Ya Wang, Hainan Gong, Danhong Dong
Summary: The onset and cessation of rainy season over the Hengduan Mountains (HM) are largely influenced by large-scale circulation systems and exhibit strong interannual variability. Delayed onset is caused by northeasterly anomalies over the north Indian Ocean and positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the southwest Indian Ocean. Delayed cessation is associated with cooling in the equatorial west Indian Ocean, triggering cyclonic wind anomalies and northwest Pacific anticyclonic wind anomalies. Upper and lower-level circulation anomalies cooperate to affect the onset and cessation dates, with the Arabian Sea playing a significant role.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matteo Zampieri, Andrea Toreti, Michele Meroni, Dragana Bojovic, Sara Octenjak, Raill Marcos-Matamoros, Stefano Materia, Ladislaus Chang'a, Mecklina Merchades, Maria del Mar Chaves Montero, Felix Rembold, Alberto Troccoli, Indrani Roy, Ibrahim Hoteit
Summary: Precipitation seasonality plays a crucial role in determining vegetation phenology in tropical and subtropical regions. Accurate prediction of the rain onset is of great importance for agricultural activities in African countries. The study evaluates the skill of seasonal forecast data provided by the Copernicus Climate Change Service in predicting the onset of rainy season in Africa. It finds positive skills in certain agricultural regions, with the multi-model ensemble performing better than individual models.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yuannan Long, Moruo Zheng, Huaiguang He, Shixiong Yan
Summary: This study examines potential changes in the summer rainy season of a watershed and finds a significant correlation between the onset date and duration of the rainy season with soil moisture and quick flow.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chibuike Chiedozie Ibebuchi, Itohan-Osa Abu
Summary: In order to understand the circulation patterns associated with rainfall variations in Nigeria, we decomposed rainfall spatially and found asymmetric atmospheric circulation patterns that drive wet and dry regimes in specific parts of the country. We also examined linear trends in rainfall and the associated circulation patterns. Our results show that rainfall in northern Nigeria is influenced by rainfall variations in the Sahel and sea surface temperature anomalies in global oceans. The circulation patterns associated with rainfall formation in western and southeastern Nigeria are linked to sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the south coast of Nigeria. The increasing trend in sea surface temperature anomalies over the Mediterranean and adjacent oceans weakens the dry northerly winds, leading to a significant positive rainfall trend in northern Nigeria during the rainy season.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jelena Lukovic, John C. H. Chiang, Dragan Blagojevic, Aleksandar Sekulic
Summary: The onset of the rainy season in California has been progressively delayed since the 1960s, leading to a shorter and sharper precipitation season. This delay is related to the summer circulation pattern extending into autumn across the North Pacific, resulting in a later start of the North Pacific westerlies.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Teuku Ferijal, Okke Batelaan, Margaret Shanafield, Furqon Alfahmi
Summary: This study proposes a method to estimate the onset and cessation dates of the rainy season by using the driest period to establish a flexible climatological year. The results show that this method has clear advantages in large and heterogeneous climatic zones.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Jinhui Xie, Pang-Chi Hsu, Pallav Ray, Kuiping Li, Weidong Yu
Summary: Understanding the relationship between the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) and the onset timing of the rainy season in India is important for predicting it better. The study found that the rainy season onset is more likely when the MJO convection is over the western-central Indian Ocean, and less likely when it is over the Maritime Continent and western Pacific. The MJO-associated convective instability plays a role in triggering the rainy season onset, while the low-frequency background state (LFBS) supports precipitation throughout the entire rainy season. Key processes leading to a sudden transition from dry to wet conditions are the convergence of LFBS moisture by MJO-related circulation perturbations and the advection of MJO moisture anomalies towards the Indian subcontinent by the background cross-equatorial flow.
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Hossein Asakereh, Sayed Abolfazl Masoodian, Fatemeh Tarkarani, Soma Zandkarimi
Summary: In this study, the variation of Iran's rainy season was investigated using daily datasets from 1976 to 2015. The results showed that the rainy season occurred on two spatial scales. The onset of the rainy season experienced significant decadal variation, leading to delays in certain regions.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan Lala, Meijian Yang, Guiling Wang, Paul Block
Summary: This study quantifies the yield gap associated with suboptimal maize planting times using a process-based crop model over a 36 year historical period across Ethiopia. The results indicate a strong potential for yield gains in drier regions as well as reductions in interannual variance countrywide, while regions with reliably sufficient precipitation show only minimal gains. Integrating onset forecasts into agricultural decision-making is crucial for agricultural extension efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Rodrigo Munoz-Sanchez, Paulina Ordonez, David Gallego, Carlos A. Ochoa-Moya
Summary: This study aims to define the onset and withdrawal dates of the rainy season in the Mexico Valley Basin. The analysis shows significant changes in precipitation and moisture transport during the onset and withdrawal periods, with interannual trends observed. Late withdrawal is associated with a positive ENSO Index and a strong Caribbean Low Level Jet, while early onset is associated with a weak Caribbean Low Level Jet.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Fu Dong, Xiefei Zhi, Shoupeng Zhu, Ling Zhang, Fei Ge, Yi Fan, Yang Lyu, Jingyu Wang, Klaus Fraedrich
Summary: Using 23-year satellite observations and reanalysis data, the principal modes of the diurnal cycle of rainfall (DCR) over South China during the presummer rainy season were examined. Three distinctly different modes were identified: the early-afternoon precipitation (EAP) mode, the late-afternoon precipitation (LAP) mode, and the morning precipitation (MP) mode. These modes exhibit different characteristics in both time and space.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Qing Cao, Xing Yuan, Qingyun Yan, Feilin Zhu
Summary: The decadal changes of rainfall erosivity (RERS) in different sub-regions of mainland China are investigated. RERS in the Yangtze River basin and the source of three rivers experienced a decadal change around 2003, while RERS in northeastern and northern China showed a prominent increasing trend after 2008. The changes in RERS are closely related to variations in sea surface temperature (SST) and particular atmospheric circulation.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Christien J. Engelbrecht, Willem A. Landman, Richard Graham, Peter McLean
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mamokete N. V. Dingaan, Mitsuru Tsubo, Sue Walker, Terry Newby
PLANT ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2017)
Article
Ecology
Veronica Makuvaro, Sue Walker, Tirivashe Phillip Masere, John Dimes
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2018)
Editorial Material
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lawal Billa, Sue Walker
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2019)
Article
Agronomy
Z. A. Bello, S. Walker, W. Tesfuhuney
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2019)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Davide Cammarano, Roberto O. Valdivia, Yacob G. Beletse, Wiltrud Durand, Olivier Crespo, Weldemichael A. Tesfuhuney, Matthew R. Jones, Sue Walker, Thembeka N. Mpuisang, Charles Nhemachena, Alex C. Roane, Carolyn Mutter, Cynthia Rosenzweig, John Antle
Article
Agronomy
Sue Walker
Summary: The mobile app AgriCloud provides updated information and specific recommendations for farmers in their own language, helping them utilize rainfall more sustainably for land preparation and planting. This technology not only offers daily updates with farming advice, but also allows users to make better decisions based on weather forecasts.
IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
S. N. Theron, E. Archer, S. J. E. Midgley, S. Walker
Summary: This study analyzed the severe drought in the Western Cape Province of South Africa between 2015 and 2018 and its impacts on wheat production, showing it to be the most severe drought in a 30-year period. The research emphasized the differences between the two core wheat growing regions and demonstrated the spatial variability of the drought across these areas.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Weldemichael A. Tesfuhuney, Wijnand Swart, Leon D. van Rensburg, Karen Wolmarans, Sue Walker, Hung Chung Yu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) on microbial activity through a field experiment. The results showed that the microbial activity was highest in the NM rhizosphere and lowest in the WB runoff strip. The microbial activity under NM at 5 cm depth increased by 63%, while there was a decrease of 17% in microbial activity for WM at 15 cm depth. The FDA values were positively correlated with soil water content and there were interesting positive correlations between yield and microbial activity.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Weldemichael A. Tesfuhuney, Achamyeleh G. Mengistu, Leon D. Van Rensburg, Sue Walker
Summary: Reducing soil evaporation can enhance rainfed crop production in semi-arid climates. This study found that covering the soil with stover mulch and providing canopy shading can effectively reduce soil evaporation, resulting in improved water use efficiency for crop growth.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
E. M. Wimalasiri, M. J. Ashfold, S. Walker, S. P. Nissanka, A. S. Karunaratne
Summary: The purpose of this study was to calibrate and validate the APSIM model for Proso millet. The model was calibrated for five Proso millet accessions using data from two field experiments, and validated using yield data from 35 farmers' fields. The results showed that the simulated yields were not significantly different from the observed yields, indicating a good calibration of the model.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weldemichael Tesfuhuney, Muthianzhele Ravuluma, Admire Rukudzo Dzvene, Zaid Bello, Fourie Andries, Sue Walker, Davide Cammarano
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate alternative management practices such as in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) and intercropping techniques through conducting on-farm demonstrations. The study found that water productivity and radiation use efficiency were positively related, and the associations varied for different tillage systems. In-field rainwater harvesting had higher water use and radiation use efficiency compared to conventional tillage, and intercropping systems showed water use advantages over solely growing crops. Adjusting plant population and sowing dates based on water availability and the onset of rainfall can enhance the efficiency of water and radiation usage in intercropping management.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sue Walker
Summary: Farmers often do not utilize climate and weather information due to a lack of understanding about the specific influence of weather parameters on farm-level decision making. Therefore, tailored agrometeorological advisory systems are necessary, requiring effective agricultural weather forecasts and two-way communication.
FRONTIERS IN CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yunita T. Winarto, Sue Walker, Rhino Ariefiansyah
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma Rosa Mary Archer, Willem Adolf Landman, Mark Alexander Tadross, Johan Malherbe, Harold Weepener, Phumzile Maluleke, Farai Maxwell Marumbwa
CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT
(2017)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed Khatif Tawaf Mohamed Yusof, Ahmad Safuan A. Rashid, Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, Wardatun Ahmar Abdul Manan, Roohollah Kalatehjari, Ali Dehghanbanadaki
Summary: This study investigates the effects of climate change on landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) using a case study on Penang Island in Malaysia. The results show that future rainfall and temperatures are expected to increase, especially under a higher climate change scenario. LSM can help local authorities identify critical areas for monitoring and responding to landslide risks caused by climate change.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2024)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shivam Pandey, Ajay Singh, Anuj Kumar, Inderjeet Tyagi, Rama Rao Karri, Rama Gaur, Hamedreza Javadian, Monu Verma
Summary: This research compares the effectiveness of hydrothermally produced ZnO and SnO2 nanocatalysts in degrading p-nitrophenol, a noxious chemical in water. The study finds that ZnO catalyst has better degradation efficiency compared to SnO2 catalyst. Detailed investigation reveals the optimal conditions for degrading p-nitrophenol using ZnO photocatalysts.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2024)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Farhan Ul Moazzam, Sudeep Thakuri, Ghani Rahman, Byung Gul Lee
Summary: This study explores the elevation dependent warming in the Indus River Basin and its impacts on cryospheric and hydrological changes. The results show significant warming trends in the Tmax and Tmin in the upper Indus Basin, with a more prominent trend observed during the winter season for Tmax. These consistent warming trends can have harmful impacts on the cryosphere of the region, leading to water scarcity and extreme droughts.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2024)
