Final answer:
Increased and persistent rain can be attributed to global warming and El Niño events rather than solar flares. Global warming, caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases from human activities, leads to higher global temperatures that can intensify precipitation events. El Niño can also cause significant changes in rainfall patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unusual weather pattern that led to increased and persistent rain can be attributed to a number of factors. Observations and models indicate that solar flares are not the primary cause of changes in global weather patterns and persistent rain. Instead, global warming, which is indicated by the increase in global average air and ocean temperatures, is a significant factor. This warming has been largely linked to human activities that result in higher levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. These gases trap heat by absorbing infrared radiation.
El Niño events are also known to disrupt normal weather patterns, causing extreme weather in various parts of the world, including increased rain in some regions. El Niño is a warm ocean current that affects the Pacific and can influence weather around the globe. Low atmospheric pressure systems can also contribute to increased rain, but they are typically more transient weather events rather than long-term patterns.