New research debunks link between solar cycle and North Atlantic winter weather

The video discusses the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its influence on winter weather patterns in Europe. A positive NAO results in mild, wet winters, while a negative NAO leads to snowy, cold winters. A theory suggests a link between the NAO and the solar cycle, proposing that solar activity could predict NAO patterns up to a decade in advance. However, research from Columbia University and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found no evidence of this correlation before 1960, attributing the perceived link to atmospheric variability rather than solar activity.

What type of winter is associated with a positive NAO in Europe?

• Cold and snowy

• Mild and wet

• Hot and humid

• Dry and warm

What is the duration of the solar cycle mentioned in the theory linking it to the NAO?

• 5 years

• 11 years

• 20 years

• 30 years

According to the theory, how far in advance could the NAO be predicted based on the solar cycle?

• 10 years

• 20 years

• 5 years

• 15 years

Which institution's research found no evidence of a correlation between the NAO and solar cycle before 1960?

• Harvard University

• MIT

• Columbia University

• Stanford University

What was the apparent correlation between the NAO and solar cycle attributed to, according to recent findings?

• Ocean currents

• Solar flares

• Magnetic fields

• Atmospheric variability