Scientists find a connection between the sun and weather on earth.
Courtesy of NCAR
Solar Cycle Linked to Global Climate
News story originally written on August 16, 2009
Scientists have discovered that
changes that happen on the Sun have an impact on
weather here on Earth.
When the sun shines a lot in areas over the Pacific Ocean that do not have a lot of clouds, it heats up the surface of the ocean and the water evaporates. The evaporated water then causes heavy rain, and this leads to stronger winds that cause temperatures to stay cooler in that area. Within a few years, this causes big changes in the weather all around the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists studied over 100 years of weather data and created a computer model to understand what was happening. As they learn more, they will be able to understand how the Sun's cycle affects the Earth, and they'll even be able to predict weather better.
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