The underlying sunspot frequency gives an approximation to the average output and unfortunately most people just graph this out with a moving average curve. I am looking at a chart I made from reported actual values of Sunspot Area (10E-6) and Radio Flux (10.7 cm) from Jan 1st 1994 to present. According to this chart the peak sunspot area and peak Radio Flux occurred during late Oct-Nov 2003, which was late in the cycle and a couple of years after the cycle maximum. And since there were some very large flares associated with this short period, the affects could have been significant. This may be why the warming lasted longer then usual for this cycle.
The affects from this 2003 short term super active period should have been assimilated by now. We should now remain cool through 2007, possible stop cooling in 2008 and might start warming again in 2009 or 2010. It all depends on the average sunspot peak of the next cycle and whether we have any of those short term super active periods. Scientists are predicted Cycle 24 should be stronger then Cycle 24 and Cycle 25 will be very weak.
oops. Should read ‘Cycle 24 should be stronger then Cycle 23’
Now, over the past twenty years, it has very, very quickly begun moving to Siberia while becoming noticeably less distinct.
Most of the previous magnetic reversals have occurred at the same time as a global ice age. (I think the number is 12 of 15 magnetic reversal match ice ages intervals.)