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The albedo field and cloud radiative forcing produced by a general circulation model with internally generated cloud opticsA general circulation model (GCM) study is presented in which cloud radiative properties are computed from cloud liquid water content inferred from the GCM hydrological cycle. Model-generated and satellite albedos are in rough agreement. Analysis of the cloud radiative forcing indicates that cloud albedo effects overcome cloud infrared opacity effects in most regions. Both computed and observed albedo of clouds decrease from low to high altitudes. The model with variable cloud optics produces significantly different regional albedos from the same one with fixed cloud optics, especially over the tropics. The cloud droplet size distribution also has a significant impact on the model albedos. The temperature of the tropical upper troposphere is somewhat sensitive to the microphysical characteristics of the model cirrus clouds.
Document ID
19850061222
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Charlock, T. P.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Ramanathan, V.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume: 42
ISSN: 0022-4928
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
85A43373
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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