Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and their relationship with sunspots

•Exploratory analysis shows that hurricane numbers is declining in total number by year.•This decline in the number of hurricanes is related to an increase in the sunspots activity.•The relationship between hurricanes and sunspot is both direct and inverse.•hurricanes are in phase with sunspots and others are out of phase.

We present the results of a time series analysis of hurricanes and sunspots occurring from 1749 to 2010. Exploratory analysis shows that the total number of hurricanes is declining. This decline is related to an increase in sunspot activity. Spectral analysis shows a relationship between hurricane oscillation periods and sunspot activity. Several sunspot cycles were identified from the time series analysis.