Dependency between the 11-year Sunspot Cycle and the El Niño Southern Oscillation on drought prediction accuracy in the Southeastern United States

Author

• Hannah Margaret Fridgen, Mississippi State UniversityFollow

Advisor

Brown, Michael

Committee Member

Jha, Prakash

Committee Member

Mercer, Andrew

Date of Degree

5-15-2026

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 6 months

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Geoscience (Professional Meteorology/Climatology)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

In the Southeastern United States, droughts produce significant impacts on the agricultural industry, thus the Sunspot Cycle is incorporated into this study as an unlikely predictor of drought as defined by the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). This study investigates the relationship between the Sunspot Cycle, ENSO, and drought across eight southeastern states and their respective Climate Divisions. Bootstrapping techniques were utilized to quantify drought risk in relation to ENSO phases and Sunspot Cycle activity, and non-parametric tests were used to evaluate statistical significance. A Multiple Logistic Regression model explored the relationship between the effects of the Sunspot Cycle and drought on corn yields. Findings from this study can be utilized to further explore links between Earth’s climate and Sunspot Cycle activity and to improve agriculture mitigation practices related to drought.

Recommended Citation

Fridgen, Hannah Margaret, "Dependency between the 11-year Sunspot Cycle and the El Niño Southern Oscillation on drought prediction accuracy in the Southeastern United States" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 6898.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6898