Study: A Solar Signature in Many Climate Indices

Abstract

Jean‐Louis Le MouëlFernand LopesVincent Courtillot

We first apply singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to the international sunspot number (ISSN; 1849‐2015) and the count of polar faculae (PF; 1906‐2006). The SSA method finds 22, 11 and 5.5‐year components as the first eigenvectors of these solar activity proxies. We next apply SSA to the ten Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO; 1978‐2016) indices.

The first, most intense component SSA finds in all MJO indices has either a period of 5.5 or 11 years. The longer‐term modulation of amplitude is on the order of one third of the total variation. The 5.5‐year SSA component 1 of most MJO indices moreover follows the decreasing amplitude of solar cycles. We then apply SSA to climate indices PDO, ENSO, WPO, AAO, AMO, TSA, WHWP, and Brazil and Sahel rainfalls. We find that the first SSA eigenvectors are all combinations of rather pure 11, 5.5 and 3.6‐year pseudo‐cycles.

The 5.5‐year component is frequently observed and is particularly important and sharp in the series in which it appears. All these periods have long been attributed to solar activity, and this by itself argues for the existence of a strong link between solar activity and climate. The mechanisms of coupling must be complex and probably non‐linear but they remain to be fully understood (UV radiation, solar wind and galactic cosmic rays being the most promising candidates).

We propose as a first step a Kuramoto model of non‐linear coupling that generates phase variations compatible with the observed ones.

The paper is, unfortunately, paywalled.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2018JD028939

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190 Comments
Johann Wundersamer
February 24, 2019 9:04 am

Ever worked in your life, time,

Willis.

___________________________________________________

We speak at eye level.

February 24, 2019 9:14 am

Click on my name to read my name
to read my take on this

Johann Wundersamer
February 24, 2019 9:39 am

Summertime Blues

Eddie Cochran

I’m gonna raise a fuss, I’m gonna raise a holler
About a-workin’ all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby, try to get a date
My boss says, “no dice son, you gotta work late”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a-gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues

Well, my mom and pop told me, “son, you gotta make some money”
If you want to use the car to go ridin’ next Sunday
Well, I didn’t go to work, told the boss I was sick
“Well, you can’t use the car ’cause you didn’t work a lick”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues

I’m gonna take two weeks, gonna have a fine vacation
I’m gonna take my problem to the United Nations
Well, I called my congressman and he said “whoa!”
“I’d like to help you son but you’re too young to vote”
Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do
But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues

Songwriter: Eddie Cochran / Jerry Neal Capehart

Songtext von Summertime Blues © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

 https://youtu.be/YXcYZsqkZ-g

ferd berple
February 24, 2019 12:10 pm

We propose as a first step a Kuramoto model.
≠=========
This is interesting because it ootentially provides an exact mathematical solution to a nonlinear problem.

If correct it could be a big step forward as more traditional approaches are quickly overwhelmed by approximation errors.

Yes, the data used may be suspect. Data almost always is. What strikes me as important is the possibility of improving the underlying mathematics in climate forecasting.

To me it makes much more sense to see events in terms of linked cycles rather than cause and effect. The chicken and egg for example.

Johann Wundersamer
February 24, 2019 12:38 pm

Now. Can anyone prey tell the difference between

Study: A Solar Signature in Many Climate Indices

AND

Study: NO Solar Signature in Many Climate Indices

WHEN the decision is not 0/1 but “Many”.

You’re a witch master, Willis. Annoying.

Ever been. Disgusting.

pochas94
February 24, 2019 1:03 pm

Willis and Leif Svalgaard are usually like two peas in a pod. What happened to Leif?

February 24, 2019 3:09 pm

There is a very strong solar signal in the AMO, the puzzle is in explaining the phase shifts.
comment image

Johann Wundersamer
February 25, 2019 12:42 am

Willis, there are under 7 billion people

2 Johann Wundersamer.

After me, my family branch will die out.

At least I want to end my life in dignity.

After 48 years of paid dues, I am now in “Corridor Pension” and need not be accused of anything.

Certainly not from you.

Johann Wundersamer
February 25, 2019 1:06 am

It’s degrading to have to say that.

Pamela Gray
February 25, 2019 8:48 am

Wriggle matching at its best. Take data on the wriggle cycle of a baby elephant’s trunk. Take data on the wriggle cycle of a baby giraffe’s tail. Use the same technique as the above paper and then announce that they are related in a cause and effect way. All of course without plausible mechanism. The authors of the paper engage in low hanging fruit. How the hell does this stuff get press!

Pamela Gray
February 25, 2019 9:14 am

May I remind the readers here that we are only concerned about weather pattern variation outside of the Malanchovotch Cycles, and that is sustained longer than a season. The only way that can be done is through long term changes in semi-permanent and temporary atmospheric pressure systems. Changing these intrinsic atmospheric systems that are teleconnected to oceanic cycles and meandering currents would take an extraordinary extrinsic system that has enough energy in its changed state to at least tip the intrinsic Earth systems to force them into a different state and keep them there.

To “feel” the energy needed, take a jet ride in the jet stream but in the opposite direction of the jet stream. The power needed to redirect that system is very obvious as your fuel gauge quickly races to 0. Turn the jet airplane around the other way and that same jet stream will turn your ride into a record breaking one.

So color me unimpressed with the idea that a tiny change in W/m^2 would have sufficient energy to even change the flight pattern of a butterfly.

February 25, 2019 11:04 am

The next 14 months should be the heart of the current solar minimum, imo. SpaceWeather is showing that 70% of 2019 has so far been spotless. During the last solar minimum in 2008/09 spotless days came in at 73% for 2008 and 71% in 2009. Is this year going to have a higher number of spotless days in it? …http://www.spaceweather.com/