Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-5mhkq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-06T09:04:44.928Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Variability of Potential Evaporation in East Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

T. Woodhead
Affiliation:
East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization, Muguga, Kenya
E. S. Waweru
Affiliation:
East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization, Muguga, Kenya

Summary

Monthly and annual totals for the Penman estimate of potential evaporation have been reliably determined, for periods varying from 7 to 11 years, at 14 East African observatories. At each site, these annual and monthly totals are normally distributed, with coefficients of variation of the order of 5 and 10 per cent, respectively. Meteorological stations established for the sole purpose of supporting evaporation surveys should therefore be relocated at 5- or 6-year intervals so as to derive maximum benefit from the valuable instruments. The results of these variability analyses were applied in the evaluation of confidence limits for monthly and annual potential evaporation rates, and reference is made to recent compilations of such limits for 137 sites in Kenya and Tanzania.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Fisher, R. A. (1954). Statistical Methods for Research Workers. London: Oliver and Boyd.Google Scholar
Penman, H. L. (1948). Proc. Roy. Soc. A. 193, 120.Google Scholar
Rijks, D. A. & Owen, W. G. (1965). Hydro-meteorological Records from Areas of Potential Agricultural Development in Uganda. Kampala: Government of Uganda.Google Scholar
Woodhead, T. (1968a). Studies of Potential Evaporation in Kenya. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.Google Scholar
Woodhead, T. (1968b). Studies of Potential Evaporation in Tanzania. Dar es Salaam: Government of TanzaniaGoogle Scholar