Solar wind electric field modulation of the NAO: A correlation analysis in the lower atmosphere

Using geopotential height data we find a strong correlation between theelectric field strength E of the solar wind and pressure variations inthe stratosphere and troposphere. The large-scale evolution of E seemsto influence the stratospheric pressure in both hemispheres with theexception of the polar regions. For the tropospheric pressure theinfluence is concentrated to an area in the northern Atlantic. Usingpressure and temperature data at sea level, we conclude that thecorrelation with E resembles the action of the North AtlanticOscillation with an area with negative pressure correlation in theArctic, an area with positive pressure correlation in the subtropics, anarea with negative temperature correlation over Greenland and northeastCanada, and an area with positive temperature correlation over Europe.