Abstract
Spectral analyses were made of derived area-index series of areas subject to extreme temperatures and precipitation as well as cross-spectral analyses of the area-index series with double sunspot cycle (Zurich) numbers. Superposed epoch analyses also were made of area-index series versus various double-sunspot cycle phases. Area series for wet and dry Junes, warm Junes, defined June drought, and warm Januaries all show statistically significant double sunspot cycle (∼21 year) periodicities. The 21-year cycle of above-normal June precipitation is most striking and has not received previous recognition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bhalme, H. N., andMooley, D. A. (1980),Large-Scale Droughts/Floods and Monsoon Circulation, Mon. Wea. Rev.108, 1197–1215.
Fuller, W. A.,Introduction to Statistical Time Series (John Wiley and Sons, New York 1976), 490 pp.
Gerety, E. J., Wallace, J. M., andZerefos, C. S. (1977),Sunspots, Geomagnetic Indices and the Weather: A Cross-Spectral Analysis between Sunspots, Geomagnetic Activity and Global Weather Data, J. Atmos. Sci.34, 673–678.
Hancock, D. J., andYarger, D. N. (1979),Cross-Spectral Analysis of Sunspots and Monthly Temperature and Precipitation for the Contiguous United States, J. Atmos. Sci.36, 746–753.
Linsley, R. K., Jr., Kohler, M. A., andPaulhus, J. L. H.,Hydrology for Engineers, 2nd Ed. (McGraw-Hill, New York 1975), 482 pp.
Marshall, J. R. (1972), Precipitation Patterns of the United States and Sunspots, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Kansas, Lawrence.
Mitchell, J. M., Jr., Stockton, C. W., andMeko, D. M.,Evidence of a 22-Year Rhythm of Drought in the Western United States Related to the Hale Solar Cycle since the 17th Century, inSolar-Terrestrial Influences on Weather and Climate (ed. B. M. McCormac and T. A. Seliga) (D. Reidel, Holland 1979), pp. 125–143.
Panofsky, H. A., andBrier, G. W.,Some Applications of Statistics to Meteorology (The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, PA 1968), 224 pp.
Pittock, A. B. (1978),A Critical Look at Long-Term Sun-Weather Relationships, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.16, 400–420.
Snedecor, G. W., andCochran, W. G.,Statistical Methods, 6th Ed. (The Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA 1967), 593 pp.
Weinbeck, R. S. (1980), Periodic Variability from Long-Term Weather Records, Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
Wilcox, J. M., Scherrer, P. H., Svalgaard, L., Roberts, W. O., Olson, R. H., andJenne, R. L. (1974),Influence of Solar Magnetic Sector Structure on Terrestrial Atmospheric Vorticity, J. Atmos. Sci.31, 581–588.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Journal Paper No. J-10007 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, Project 2397.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weinbeck, R.S., Yarger, D.N. Sunspot numbers and area-weighted united states monthly temperature and precipitation. PAGEOPH 119, 798–808 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131256
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01131256