Consequences of a solar minimum

Solar minimum is a normal part of the 11-year sunspot cycle, but the last one and the current one have been far deeper than most. In fact, the number of spotless days in 2019 reached 281 days (77% of the time) and this was the quietest year in terms of sunspots since 1913. The just ended solar cycle 24 turned out to be one of the weakest in more than a century – continuing a weakening trend that began in the 1980’s – and, if the latest forecasts are correct, the next solar cycle will be the weakest in more than 200 years.

One of the consequences of a solar minimum is a tendency for increased “high-latitude blocking” events in the atmosphere during the wintertime with higher pressure compared to normal over such places as Greenland, Iceland and northern Canada. This type of atmospheric pattern often results in more numerous and longer-lasting cold air outbreaks for the central and eastern US in the winter season. (see Perspecta Weather Winter Outlook) and can increase the chances for significant snow.