Climatology in Mauritius 1983-2005: potential solar radiation modulation by Quasi-Biennial oscillation and El Niño-Southern oscillation

The monthly variability of solar radiation over Mauritius is examined using monthly data from CMSAF (Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring) satellite during the period January 1983-December 2005. It is found that the series analysed have periodicities which can be related to two well-known oscillations (Quasi-Biennal Oscillation - QBO and El Niño Southern Oscillation - ENSO). The results highlight a significant modulation of solar radiation by QBO that indicate the possible modulation of convective activity and cloud cover by this oscillation. A temporal conjunction between El-Nino events and high solar radiation disturbances is shown. Nevertheless, it was difficult to assess a simple correlation between ENSO and solar radiation variability over the studied period. This paper focuses on interannual oscillation and omits the intra-seasonal tropical perturbations (Madden Julian Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Antarctic Mode). This demonstrates a first approach on the interannual solar radiation variability over Mauritius.