Effects of solar flares on the atmospheric circulation.

Abstract

Strong solar flares cause atmospheric circulation changes (or alternatively changes in the mass and temperature distribution) at middle and high latitudes, starting less than 12 h after the solar eruption. This effect lasts approximatley one day, is strongest in winter and most pronounced at certain geographical locations. Delayed effects are reported having a maximum 2 to 4 days after a flare. In general, the connection between these effects is insufficiently known. This also applied to the possible role of solar flares in solar-climate relationships. The observed early effect in the troposphere is plausibly explained by strong convergence of air over large areas in the lower stratosphere. However, a mechanism causing this convergence is still unknown. The early effect itself by changing the baroclinic stability in the mid-latitude tropsphere could lead to some of the observed delayed effects. -Author