Linking the solar cycle and Earth’s climate

Abstract

In this paper, the authors have made an effort to investigate the impact of the solar cycle on Earth’s climate in the context of rainfall and temperature over a location, on El Nino/ La Nina, and world famines. The study shows that the peak sunspot number (SSN) often occurs in pairs. Multiple peaks are also seen frequently. The La Ninas follow multiple peaks, or sometimes associated with it. The El Ninos usually follow the solar minima, though not always. This study shows that the SSN trough will occur in 2020, thereby causing El Nino during 2019-2021. The multiple SSN peak is likely to occur during 2023-2028, predicting a La-Nina during this period. Multiple SSN peaks and very high SSN values bring about famines. The study shows that the total solar irradiance (TSI) bears a strong correlation with the SSN. Besides, the cosmic ray flux decreases as the SSN and the TSI increases. The monthly and yearly variations of SSN, TSI, and temperature show increasing trends over the years, indicating increased warming as the years advance. However, none of these parameters bears significant correlations with the temperature, either independently or together, implying that some other factors are also responsible for determining the temperature. The study shows no direct relationship between rainfall and the SSN. However, several years show a similar trend between the two. The investigation indicates a strong influence of the solar cycle on world climate.