Cite this
Caroline Achieng and Michael Barasa (2025) A reproducible pipeline for interpolating sparse rainfall data for smallholder advisories. Quorum Press Community Open Submissions. https://quorumpress.org/papers/reproducible-pipeline-interpolating-sparse-aq7vl
Published in Quorum Press Community Open Submissions. This article was peer reviewed before publication.
Quorum Press Community Open SubmissionsPaper No. ES6NVSQuorum Press Community
A reproducible pipeline for interpolating sparse rainfall data for smallholder advisories
Abstract
Weather advisories for smallholder farmers depend on rainfall estimates in areas with sparse gauge coverage. We present an open, reproducible pipeline that blends gauge data with satellite rainfall estimates using kriging with external drift, and we evaluate it against withheld gauges across two seasons in western Kenya. The blended product reduced mean absolute error by 27 percent over satellite-only estimates and produced calibrated uncertainty bands suitable for advisory thresholds. Code and data-preparation steps are shared so the workflow can be rerun in new regions.
Keywords: Reproducibility, Geostatistics, Rainfall, Agriculture
Cite as: Caroline Achieng & Michael Barasa (2025). A reproducible pipeline for interpolating sparse rainfall data for smallholder advisories. Quorum Press Community Open Submissions. https://quorumpress.org/papers/reproducible-pipeline-interpolating-sparse-aq7vl
© 2025 Achieng and Barasa. Open access under CC BY 4.0.
Introduction
Sparse rain-gauge networks limit the accuracy of agricultural weather advisories. Blending gauges with satellite estimates can help, but reproducibility is often lacking.
Methods
We combined gauge and satellite rainfall using kriging with external drift, validating against withheld gauges over two seasons. Every step is scripted for reuse.
Results
The blended product cut mean absolute error by 27 percent relative to satellite-only estimates and produced calibrated uncertainty bands appropriate for advisory thresholds.
Cite this paper
Caroline Achieng, Michael Barasa. A reproducible pipeline for interpolating sparse rainfall data for smallholder advisories. Quorum Press Community Open Submissions, 2025. https://quorumpress.org/papers/reproducible-pipeline-interpolating-sparse-aq7vl
Publication ID: aq7vl