Some methods for testing the homogeneity of rainfall records

Cumulative deviations from the mean are often used in the analysis of homogeneity. Features of five tests on the cumulative deviations are discussed. Some of these tests have optimal properties in testing the null hypothesis of homogeneity against a shift in the mean at an unknown point. Together with the classical von Neumann ratio the tests were applied to the annual amounts of 30-yr. rainfall records in The Netherlands. For a large number of records strong indications for a change in the mean were found. There were only small differences between the various test-statistics with respect to the number of records for which the null hypothesis was rejected.