Temperature variability in central Mexico and its possible association to solar activity

Abstract

Minimum extreme temperature variability from five meteorological stations in the central part of Mexico covering a period from ∼1920 to ∼1990 is examined. We found a correlation coefficient ( r=0.65) between these temperature records and geomagnetic activity. Furthermore, by performing spectral analysis peaks were obtained with similar periodicities to those found in the sunspot number, the magnetic solar cycle, cosmic ray fluxes and geomagnetic activity; all of these phenomena are modulated by solar activity. Signals with periodicities comparable to those observed in El Niño and the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation were also identified. We conclude that the solar signal is probably present in the minimum extreme temperature record of the central part of Mexico.