Reconstructing the North Atlantic atmospheric circulation in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries from historical sources

Abstract

This study presents the preliminary results obtained in the reconstruction of the North Atlantic atmospheric circulation during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries using documental sources for the Spanish journeys to America kept in the 'Archivo General de Indias' (AGI). Sailing times were used as proxies for zonal atmospheric circulation. Two sample periods were studied: 1551 to 1650 and 1717 to 1737. Results show that the sailing time can be a good proxy to add to other proxy data sets. In addition, 12 possible tropical cyclones were identified during these 2 periods.