COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RAINY SEASON ONSET AND END IN BURKINA FASO'S CLIMATIC ZONES

Climate variability in West Africa poses significant challenges to agriculture, natural resource management, and livelihoods, particularly in sub-Saharan countries like Burkina Faso. Rainfall patterns, which are critical for agro-sylvo-pastoral activities, have historically experienced extreme fluctuations, including severe deficits during the 1970s and 1980s and continued variability in recent decades. While numerous studies have investigated rainfall trends and the impact of climate change on rainfed crops in Burkina Faso, there remains a knowledge gap regarding the timing of the rainy season’s onset and cessation, as well as the characterization of dry periods. This study addresses this gap by analyzing rainfall data across two climatic regions in Burkina Faso to track changes in the onset and cessation of the rainy season. The research highlights temporal shifts and regional differences in seasonal rainfall dynamics, which are critical for agricultural planning, water resource management, and climate adaptation strategies. Findings indicate that disruptions in rainy season timing are consistent with broader trends observed across Sudano-Sahelian West Africa, reflecting the influence of climate variability on seasonal rainfall patterns. By providing a comparative assessment of rainy season dynamics across distinct climatic zones, this study contributes to a better understanding of climate impacts at the regional level. The results offer actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and local communities to enhance adaptive strategies, optimize agricultural calendars, and improve resilience to climate-related uncertainties. Overall, understanding the onset, cessation, and variability of the rainy season is essential for sustainable management of Burkina Faso’s natural and agricultural resources under changing climatic conditions