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Relationship between the longwave cloud radiative forcing at the surface and the top of the atmosphereAn analysis is presented which suggests a technique that may be able to circumvent the problem of mapping the global longwave surface radiation budget from space in the presence of clouds. A theoretical framework is given that avoids the explicit computation of cloud fraction and the location of cloud base. It is found that in regions where a particular cloud regime exists preferentially, a relationship between the mean long range cloud radiative forcing (CRF) at the top of the atmosphere and at the surface can be shown to exist. Results from a general circulation model suggest that this relationship for monthly means is coherent over fairly large geographical areas. For example, in tropical convective areas, the longwave CRF at the top is very large, but at the surface it is quite small because of the high opacity of the lowest layers of the atmosphere. It is also found that, in areas of stratus over cool ocean surfaces, the longwave CRF at the top is very small but at the surface it is quite substantial.
Document ID
19910041876
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
HARSHVARDHAN
(Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Randall, David A.
(Purdue Univ. West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Dazlich, Donald A.
(Colorado State University Fort Collins, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Climate
Volume: 3
ISSN: 0894-8755
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
91A26499
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1125
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1058
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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