Spatial variation of reference evapotranspiration in Kermanshah province

Due to the spatial variations of evapotranspiration, and lack of adequate point estimations using interpolation methods for spatial analysis is necessary. The aim of this study was to estimate the regional values of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in Kermanshah province, west of Iran and comparison with Iran National Water Document. For this purpose, daily weather data of 38 meteorological stations of Kermanshah and neighboring provinces were obtained from the Iran Meteorological Organization. Three methods were used for calculation and zoning of ETo, based on Penman and Penman-Monteith equations. In the first and second methods, the meteorological data were interpolated and then ETo was calculated using the interpolated data, while in the third method the point estimation of ETo (weather stations) were interpolated. For the purpose of interpolation, the CGMS software was used in a gridded network of 366 cells with 10 × 10 km size. The results showed that there exist a significant spatial variations ETo across the province. In general, in the western regions of the province, with higher temperature and lower altitude, higher values of ETo was observed. The ETo estimations based on Penman-Monteith method were higher than Penman method. Although the ETo values presented in the Iran National Water Document are calculated by the Penman-Monteith equation, but obtained amount for plain regions of the province are more consistent with Penman- equation estimations.