Determining the rainfall characteristics and analyzing its time tendencies over the decade 1976-1986 in Dschang division, West region – Cameroon

Primary daily rainfalls data were used to fulfill this work. Each month was divided into six equal five days sub periods, except the sixth one with either 3 or 4 days for the February month and 5 or 6 days for the remaining ones. Sub period and monthly statistical characteristics have been determined, namely the numbers of rainy days, the cumulative rainfalls and estimated daily rainfalls with their correspondent standard deviations. These characteristics calculated for the years and the rainy seasons apart have enabled us to estimate the beginnings and ends of rainy seasons as from March to October, respectively. Some reduction of this duration has been detected particularly at the beginning which tended to occur later in April. Concerning the quantities of water fallen during a rain, it has been observed that the rainfalls were slowly decreasing from year to year, confirming the degradation of the rainy regime in the area. These diminutions could be easily quantified based on the present work.