Eleven‐year solar cycle signal in the NAO and Atlantic/European blocking

• Published in: Quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society Vol. 142; no. 698; pp. 1890 - 1903
• Main Authors: Gray, L. J., Woollings, T. J., Andrews, M., Knight, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: 11‐year solar cycle; atmospheric blocking; atmospheric variability; NAO; North Atlantic variability; solar variability; A, Atlantic
• ISSN: 0035-9009; 1477-870X
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.2782

The 11‐year solar cycle signal in December–January–February (DJF) averaged mean‐sea‐level pressure (SLP) and Atlantic/European blocking frequency is examined using multilinear regression with indices to represent variability associated with the solar cycle, volcanic eruptions, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Results from a previous 11‐year solar cycle signal study of the period 1870–2010 (140 years; ∼13 solar cycles) that suggested a 3–4 year lagged signal in SLP over the Atlantic are confirmed by analysis of a much longer reconstructed dataset for the period 1660–2010 (350 years; ∼32 solar cycles). Apparent discrepancies between earlier studies are resolved and stem primarily from the lagged nature of the response and differences between early‐ and late‐winter responses. Analysis of the separate winter months provide supporting evidence for two mechanisms of influence, one operating via the atmosphere that maximises in late winter at 0–2 year lags and one via the mixed‐layer ocean that maximises in early winter at 3–4 year lags. Corresponding analysis of DJF‐averaged Atlantic/European blocking frequency shows a highly statistically significant signal at ∼1‐year lag that originates primarily from the late winter response. The 11‐year solar signal in DJF blocking frequency is compared with other known influences from ENSO and the AMO and found to be as large in amplitude and have a larger region of statistical significance.