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Interannual variability of the global net radiation balance and its consequence on global energy transportGlobal cloudiness and radiation budget data from Nimbus 6 and 7 are used to investigate the role of cloud and surface radiative forcing and elements of the earth's general circulation. Although globally integrated cloud forcing is nearly zero, there are large regional imbalances and well regulated processes in the shortwave and longwave spectrum that control the meridional gradient structure of the net radiation balance and the factors modulating the east-west oriented North Africa-western Pacific energy transport dipole. The analysis demonstrates that clouds play a dual role in both the shortwave and longwave spectra in terms of tropical and midlatitude east-west gradients. The key result is that cloud forcing, although not always the principle regulator of interannual variability of the global climate, serves to reinforce the basic three-cell meridional circulation.
Document ID
19910029209
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Smith, Eric A.
(Florida State Univ. Tallahassee, FL, United States)
Sohn, B. J.
(Florida State University Tallahassee, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1990
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
IAF PAPER 90-151
Accession Number
91A13832
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1840
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-849
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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