A method to predict amplitude and date of maximum sunspot number

A method to predict the amplitude and date of the maximum sunspot number is introduced. The regression analysis of the relationship between the variat ion rate of monthly sunspot numbers in the initial stage of solar cycles an d both of the maximum and the time-length of ascending period of the cycle showed that they are closely correlative. In general, the maximum will be l arger and the ascending period will be shorter when the rate is larger. The rate of sunspot numbers in the initial 2 years of the 23rd cycle is thus a nalyzed based on these grounds and the maximum of the cycle is predicted, F or the smoothed monthly sunspot numbers, the maximum will be about 139.2+/- 18.8 and the time-length of ascending period will be about 3.31+/-0.42 year s, that is to say, the maximum will appear around the spring of the year 20 00. For the mean monthly ones, the maximum will be near 170.1 +/- 22.9 and the time-length of ascending period will be about 3.42 +/-0.46 years, that is to say, the appearing date of the maximum will be later.