An assessment of thermal, wind, and planetary wave changes in the middle and lower atmosphere due to 11-year UV flux variations

Hines (1974) speculated that solar-induced modifications of the middle and upper atmosphere may alter the transmissivity of the stratosphere to upwardly propagating atmospheric waves. It was suggested that subsequent constructive or destructive interference may result in a change of phase or amplitude of these waves in the troposphere leading to weather or climate changes. The present investigation has the objective to bring together both radiative transfer and planetary wave studies in an effort to assess specifically whether Hines mechanism can be initiated by the solar ultraviolet flux variability assumed to be associated with the 11-year solar cycle. The obtained results suggest that the presently studied mechanism, which links solar-induced zonal wind changes in the stratosphere and mesosphere to planetary wave changes in the troposphere, is not strong enough to cause substantive changes in the troposphere.