  Evaluating the magnitude of natural climate variations is important because
it can greatly affect future climate policies. As an example, we examine the
influence of changes in solar activity (solar wind in particular) on surface
temperatures (Ts) and major teleconnection patterns such as the Arctic
Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. We compared correlation maps
(spatial distribution of correlation coefficient) for a combination of Ts and a
geomagnetic index (aa, an indicator of solar wind strength) and a combination
of Ts and the teleconnection patterns. The phase of the quasi-biennial
oscillation of the equatorial zonal wind and magnitude of sunspot number were
considered. As a result, we found that the influence of the solar wind is as
strong as that of the teleconnection patterns and hence, the former appears to
affect the climate via the latter. It was also found that both the solar wind
and ultraviolet change should be considered to explain the influence of solar
activity variability, i.e., a multi-pathway scheme is necessary.
