Sudden stratospheric warmings seen in MINOS deep underground muon data

Abstract

The rate of high energy cosmic ray muons as measured underground is shown to be strongly correlated with upper‐air temperatures during short‐term atmospheric (10‐day) events. The effects are seen by correlating data from the MINOS underground detector and temperatures from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts during the winter periods from 2003–2007. This effect provides an independent technique for the measurement of meteorological conditions and presents a unique opportunity to measure both short and long‐term changes in this important part of the atmosphere.