The Diurnal Temperature Range for Europe - a Search for Cosmic Ray Forbush Decrease manifestations and the DTR periodicities

TL;DR

This study investigates the potential link between cosmic ray Forbush decreases and European diurnal temperature range (DTR) changes, finding no supporting evidence but identifying periodicities possibly related to solar irradiance variations.

Contribution

It provides an independent analysis of the DTR and cosmic ray correlation, and explores the periodicities in DTR linked to solar activity.

Findings

No positive correlation between Forbush decreases and DTR changes.

Identification of a ~27-day periodicity in DTR data.

Possible connection of DTR periodicities to solar irradiance variations.

Abstract

Following on previous work by others, which gave evidence for few-day changes in the European Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) apparently correlated with Cosmic Ray Forbush Decreases, we have made an independent study. We find no positive evidence. An analysis has also been made of the Fourier components of the time series of the DTR value (taken as deviations from a +/-10 day running mean). Evidence for a number of interesting periods is found, including one at about 27 days, albeit with a variability with time. The same period of solar irradiance (particularly in the UV) is favoured as the explanation.