solar activity and weather
There is some evidence that solar activity may affect weather on earth
- Sunspots are most numerous during active phases
- Record of number of sunspots shows cyclical variability
- period about 11 y S&T vugraph, top
- Good data back to ~ 1600 (Galileo!)
- Maunder Minimum ~ 1640-1710
- lack of solar activity supported by lack of aurorae and lack of corona during solar eclipses
- Period of cold temperatures in Europe
- low T’s in England S&T vugraph, middle
- severe weather in London and Paris
- ice skating on canals of Holland
- worst European weather on record
- could be a coincidence but ...