Twentieth century precipitation trends in the upper Mzingwane sub-catchment of the northern Limpopo basin, Zimbabwe

This study evaluates precipitation trends in the upper Mzingwane sub-catchment (UMS) of Zimbabwe using ten World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s Expert Team for Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices climate indices. Trend analysis variables such as annual total precipitation, extremely wet days, consecutive dry days is analysed. The UMS strategic socio-economic significance terms water security sustenance to livelihoods this region city Bulawayo. undertaken at four stations: Bulawayo Goetz, Filabusi, Mbalabala Matopos National Park (MNP), period 1921–2000. In general, no statistically significant were detected all indices stations (with exception MNP (in westernmost extent UMS)) which showed increasing (decreasing) most dryness (total precipitation) extreme indicative persistent drying coupled with a shift towards shorter very periods more intense past twentieth century. There also an indication general north south-western declining gradient during ~ 69 years over region. These findings are not only useful explaining historical evolution observed extremes their associated impacts but present baseline comparative follow-up studies assessing twenty-first century future events UMS.