Meteorological Meanings: Farmers' Interpretations of Seasonal Rainfall Forecasts in Burkina Faso

2021 ◽  
pp. 181-200
Author(s):  
Carla Roncoli ◽  
Keith Ingram ◽  
Christine Jost ◽  
Paul Kirshen
2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Roncoli ◽  
Keith Ingram ◽  
Paul Kirshen

In this article we bring anthropological reflections to bear on a recent event we participated in, whereby farmers and scientists came together to discuss the possibility of applying rainfall seasonal forecasts to improve agricultural production and livelihood security in West Africa. In so doing, We also report on the research findings from the project that organized this encounter and that we have been working with for the last three years. Our intent is to highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in this process of integrating scientific information and farmers' production decisions, while also pointing to practical issues to be considered in implementing such initiatives.


2008 ◽  
Vol 148 (11) ◽  
pp. 1798-1814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Mishra ◽  
James W. Hansen ◽  
Michael Dingkuhn ◽  
Christian Baron ◽  
Seydou B. Traoré ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 3370-3383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zaved Kaiser Khan ◽  
Ashish Sharma ◽  
Rajeshwar Mehrotra ◽  
Andrew Schepen ◽  
Q. J. Wang

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 5524-5537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. J. Wang ◽  
Andrew Schepen ◽  
David E. Robertson

Abstract Merging forecasts from multiple models has the potential to combine the strengths of individual models and to better represent forecast uncertainty than the use of a single model. This study develops a Bayesian model averaging (BMA) method for merging forecasts from multiple models, giving greater weights to better performing models. The study aims for a BMA method that is capable of producing relatively stable weights in the presence of significant sampling variability, leading to robust forecasts for future events. The BMA method is applied to merge forecasts from multiple statistical models for seasonal rainfall forecasts over Australia using climate indices as predictors. It is shown that the fully merged forecasts effectively combine the best skills of the models to maximize the spatial coverage of positive skill. Overall, the skill is low for the first half of the year but more positive for the second half of the year. Models in the Pacific group contribute the most skill, and models in the Indian and extratropical groups also produce useful and sometimes distinct skills. The fully merged probabilistic forecasts are found to be reliable in representing forecast uncertainty spread. The forecast skill holds well when forecast lead time is increased from 0 to 1 month. The BMA method outperforms the approach of using a model with two fixed predictors chosen a priori and the approach of selecting the best model based on predictive performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tan Phan-Van ◽  
Thanh Nguyen-Xuan ◽  
Hiep Van Nguyen ◽  
Patrick Laux ◽  
Ha Pham-Thanh ◽  
...  

Abstract This study investigates the ability to apply National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System (CFS) products and their downscaling by using the Regional Climate Model version 4.2 (RegCM4.2) on seasonal rainfall forecasts over Vietnam. First, the CFS hindcasts (CFS_Rfc) from 1982 to 2009 are used to assess the ability of the CFS to predict the overall circulation and precipitation patterns at forecast lead times of up to 6 months. Second, the operational CFS forecasts (CFS_Ope) and its RegCM4.2 downscaling (RegCM_CFS) for the period 2012–14 are used to derive seasonal rainfall forecasts over Vietnam. The CFS_Rfc and CFS_Ope are validated against the ECMWF interim reanalysis, the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) analyzed rainfall, and observations from 150 meteorological stations across Vietnam. The results show that the CFS_Rfc can capture the seasonal variability of the Asian monsoon circulation and rainfall distribution. The higher-resolution RegCM_CFS product is advantageous over the raw CFS in specific climatic subregions during the transitional, dry, and rainy seasons, particularly in the northern part of Vietnam in January and in the country’s central highlands during July.


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