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Atmospheric solar heating rate in the water vapor bandsThe total absorption of solar radiation by water vapor in clear atmospheres is parameterized as a simple function of the scaled water vapor amount. For applications to cloudy and hazy atmospheres, the flux-weighted k-distribution functions are computed for individual absorption bands and for the total near-infrared region. The parameterization is based upon monochromatic calculations and follows essentially the scaling approximation of Chou and Arking, but the effect of temperature variation with height is taken into account in order to enhance the accuracy. Furthermore, the spectral range is extended to cover the two weak bands centered at 0.72 and 0.82 micron. Comparisons with monochromatic calculations show that the atmospheric heating rate and the surface radiation can be accurately computed from the parameterization. Comparisons are also made with other parameterizations. It is found that the absorption of solar radiation can be computed reasonably well using the Goody band model and the Curtis-Godson approximation.
Document ID
19870046015
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Chou, Ming-Dah
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology
Volume: 25
ISSN: 0733-3021
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
87A33289
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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