Identification of Rainfall Variability Using TRMM Data Analysis

Abstract

Indonesian climate is characterized with abundant rainfall throughout the year. Differences the amount of rainfall are seen significantly in areas with monsoonal patterns in the event of extreme climates, both El-Nino and La-Nina. Rainfall pattern dynamic that occurs in Indonesia, even worldwide, is reflected by meteorological extrem events in several regions, i.e. extreme rainfall, season change, sea level rise, drought, and flood. Lombok Island is one small island in Indonesia with high levels of vulnerability to climate change. Regarding to the meteorological events occurred in Lombok, this research aims to identify spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall pattern changes in Lombok island during 1999-2014. TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission) data precipitation was used as the main data due to limitation of available precipitation data. Results show annual rainfall trend was decreased and most of monthly rainfall were increased. There was an anomaly during 2009-2010 when consecutive El Nino and La Nina hit Lombok. El Nino and La Nina strongly effected on rainfall amount in Lombok Island. Western part of Lombok island is wetter than the eastern part because the monsoon starts earlier in the west. The northern part has more intense rainfall due to the orographic factor.