Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology

Global climate change presents challenges in characterizing regional impacts, particularly on rainfall patterns, crucial for socio-economic activities like agriculture in vulnerable regions such as Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa, with its erratic rainfall, limited data, and reliance on agriculture, faces significant climate-related challenges, particularly drought. Understanding rainfall characteristics is vital for water resources management particularly agriculture, prompting the study of precipitation and temperature trends in Kilosa District, Tanzania. Using CHIRPS precipitation data and ERA 5 Ag-9.6 km temperature data from 1981 to 2005, this study analyzed annual and seasonal trends. The Mann-Kendall test was employed to assess statistical significance. The findings show an increasing trend in annual precipitation, with wet years exceeding 900 mm/year and dry years dropping below 400 mm/year. While the dry season exhibits mixed trends, the wet season consistently shows increasing trends, albeit with variations across grids. Spatial analysis indicates a clear spatial distribution of precipitation patterns. Temperature trends reveal a consistent upward trajectory in mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures. Annual mean temperatures rise by 0.017°C per year, with December recording the highest (17.94°C) and July the lowest (13.43°C) temperatures. All grids/stations exhibit significant increases in both wet and dry season temperatures. Spatially, areas near urban centers experience the most significant temperature rise, while higher elevations witness slight decreases. These findings underscore the importance of comprehending local climate variations for effective water resource and agricultural management. Future research should focus on the impacts of these trends on surface irrigation, water availability, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem health, especially in the context of growing urbanization and environmental degradation. Efforts to mitigate climate change impacts should prioritize sustainable land use and water management practices in vulnerable district areas like Kilosa.