Analysis of a possible Sun–weather correlation

XANTHAKIS 1 has reported a striking, if complex, relationship between solar activity and Northern Hemisphere precipitation. This resulted in a strong negative correlation between rainfall and solar activity found in the latitude belt of 60° to 70°N. Other belts showed pronounced positive correlations, or a change from negative to positive correlation. We decided that these correlations needed a totally independent confirmation 2 , and so we repeated the analysis, using a more extensive data base. Xanthakis has since published a more extensive survey of global precipitation and solar activity 3 . This also contains detailed information on his methods of analysis, and extends the study to the Southern Hemisphere, where further verification of the association is claimed. Our studies reported here also encompassed both hemispheres and our results show only a general similarity with those of Xanthakis.