The Effect of Solar Activity on Stratospheric Temperature Over Iraq for Period 1948-2014

Abstract

Stratospheric temperature changes are very important for climate systems through atmospheric circulation and stratosphere-troposphere coupling. The relationship between solar modulation potential SMP as a measure of solar activity and variation of temperature in upper, middle and lower stratosphere over Iraq for the period 1948-2014 (for about five solar cycles) has been presented in this study. For upper, middle and lower stratosphere we found that stratospheric temperatures decreased, this descending trend is offset by obviously descending trend in solar activity for the same period. The correlation coefficients between annual solar modulation potential SMP and stratospheric temperature have been examined at pressure levels (10,20,30,50,70 mb) that represent the upper, middle and lower stratosphere over 67 years (1948 to 2014). All levels have positive correlation. The correlation coefficient (R) in upper stratosphere at level 10 mb has been 0.4, in middle stratosphere at level (20, 30 mb) the correlation coefficient (R) has been 5.3 and 0.6 respectively. For lower stratosphere at level (50, 70 mb) R has been 0.57 and 0.68 respectively.

Keywords

• solar activity
• solar modulation potential
• stratospheric temperature
• climate change