ABSTRACT: Analyzing the influence of solar activity and El Niño on stream flow across southern Canada.

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Abstract

It is well known that the spatial and temporal patterns in streamflow can be correlated with many teleconnections, e.g. solar activity and climatic phenomena (i.e. El Niño). However, fewer studies have attempted to analyze both the impacts of solar activity and large scale climatic phenomena on natural processes, particularly hydrological processes. In this study, we examine long term records of solar activity and El Niño for their combined influence on streamflow across southern Canada. Data used in the analysis include Sunspot Number, Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly in Niño region 3.4 and annual mean streamflow from 52 RHBN stations from across Canada with record lengths = 50 yrs (14 of them = 90 yrs). Analysis is performed using Fourier spectrum analysis and cross wavelet coherence analysis (WTC).Fourier spectrum analysis shows that for almost all of the 14 RHBN >90 yrs stations streamflow exhibits periodicities of ~11 and ~22 yrs (in accordance with solar activity) as well as shorter term periodicities consistent with El Niño (2-7 yrs). The WTC analysis confirms the correlation between these periodicities (2-7 yrs, 11 yrs, 22 yrs) in streamflow with solar activity and El Niño records. Although all three periodicities can be found in streamflow across Canada, their appearances vary spatially and temporally. The 22 yrs periodicity due to solar activity and El Niño’s impacts is common. Analysis of the additional 38 RHBN stations with > 50 yrs records shows the 2-7 yrs and 11 yrs periods to be more spatially expansive across Canada. The WTC analysis has identified, through examination of correlations between solar activity and streamflow, El Niño and streamflow, and finally El Niño and solar activity, that solar activity affects El Niño first, and this impact is then transferred by El Niño to streamflow. This study expands on earlier efforts examining linkages between El Niño and streamflow in Canada to an examination of linkages between solar activity, El Niño and streamflow.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology