A Statistical Approach to Examine the Impact of Various Meteorological Parameters on Pan Evaporation

Evaporation from surface water bodies is influenced by a number of meteorological parameters. The rate of evaporation is primarily controlled by incoming solar radiation, air and water temperature and wind speed and relative humidity. In the present study, influence of weekly meteorological variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, bright sunshine hours, wind speed, wind velocity, rainfall on rate of evaporation has been examined using 35 years(1971-2005) of meteorological data. Statistical analysis was carried out employing linear regression models. The developed regression models were tested for goodness of fit, multicollinearity along with normality test and constant variance test. These regression models were subsequently validated using the observed and predicted parameter estimates with the meteorological data of the year 2005. Further these models were checked with time order sequence of residual plots to identify the trend of the scatter plot and then new standardized regression models were developed using standardized equations. The highest significant positive correlation was observed between pan evaporation and maximum air temperature. Mean air temperature and wind velocity have highly significant influence on pan evaporation whereas minimum air temperature, relative humidity and wind direction have no such significant influence.