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The Solar Cycle: Sunspots increase and decrease through an average cycle of 11 years. Dating back to 1749, we have experienced 23 full solar cycles where the number of sunspots have gone from a minimum, to a maximum and back to the next minimum, through approximate 11 year cycles. We are now well into the 24th cycle."
The Sun and Sunspots https://www.weather.gov/fsd/sunspots#:~:text=Times%20of%20maximum%20sunspot%20activity,true%20during%20minimum%20sunspot%20activity.
"One interesting aspect of solar cycles is that the sun went through a period of near zero sunspot activity from about
1645 to 1715. This period of sunspot minima is called the Maunder Minimum. The "Little Ice Age" occurred over parts of Earth during the Maunder Minimum."
So, how do sun spots relate to actual weather changes here on Earth?
"There is research which shows evidence that Earth's climate is sensitive to very weak changes in the Sun's energy output over time frames of 10s and 100s of years. Times of maximum sunspot activity are associated with a very slight increase in the energy output from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation increases dramatically during high sunspot activity, which can have a large effect on the Earth's atmosphere. The converse is true during minimum sunspot activity."
"...the influence of the Sun's energy output and its effect on our climate with the "noise" created by a complex interaction between our atmosphere, land and oceans can be difficult. For example, there is research which shows that the Maunder Minimum not only occurred during a time with a decided lack of sunspot activity, but also coincided with a multi-decade episode of large volcanic eruptions. Large volcanic eruptions are known to hinder incoming solar radiation. Finally, there is also evidence that some of the major ice ages Earth has experienced were caused by Earth being deviated from its average 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. Indeed Earth has tilted anywhere from near 22 degrees to 24.5 degrees on its axis. But overall when examining Earth on a global scale, and over long periods of time, it is certain that the solar energy output does have an affect on Earth's climate."
I suspect there is a relationship between the electromagnetic activity of the Sun and the Earth's electromagnetic activity. Our pole is currently wandering more than in recent history and there may be an inductive relationship between fluctuations in our magnetic field and volcanic activity that could even drive outer core magma weather. But, as the article says, there is too much noise to tell.
-Will