An analysis of meteor radar rates, meteor end-point heights and radar-echo amplitudes observed over the period 1953–66 indicates a long-term variation in these quantities with highest values being recorded in 1963 near solar minimum. The phenomenon is explained in terms of a solar-controlled variation in air density at the 90- to 110-km level, with highest densities occurring in 1963. This provides an explanation for the anomalous increase in meteor radar rates observed in 1963. The analysis indicates that air density at the meteor burn-out level varies inversely as solar flux. The density variation is thus opposite in phase to that at higher altitudes as deduced from satellite drag measurements.