POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF OZONOSPHERE HEATING ON SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE

Abstract

Some meteorologists have suggested that the ozonosphere serves as a connecting link between enriched solar ultraviolet radiation and subsequent effects on sea-level barometric pressure. In an attempt to subject this proposal to quantitative analysis, two simplified models are studied. In the second, more realistic model, the effect of sudden heating of the ozonosphere upon sea-level pressure is shown to be insignificant. The forty-year series of daily northern-hemisphere sea-level maps has been examined to see if there is a significant difference in the meridional pressure-profile during periods of sunspot maxima and sunspot minima, the former periods being associated with more frequent ultraviolet outbursts. A comparison with Clayton's previous work is made, but the results of the statistical analysis are considered to be inconclusive.