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Characteristics of the earth's radiation budget derived from the first year of data from the Earth Radiation Budget ExperimentThe first year of broadband Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) data is analyzed for top-of-the-atmosphere regional variations of outgoing longwave (LW) flux and planetary albedo for total scene as well as clear-sky conditions. The annual variation of radiative parameters is examined for February 1985 through January 1986 for selected regions, latitude zones, and the entire globe. Results show significant seasonal variations for both LW fluxes and albedo. A broad longwave flux maximum (with a relative minimum corresponding to the intertropical convergence zone in the middle) covers the tropics and the subtropics with its center moving about 20 deg in latitude between seasonal extremes. Minimum albedo (about 20 percent) occurs within 15 deg of the equator. In the tropics and midlatitudes, there is a tendency toward higher albedos during the summer. Larger albedos at the higher latitudes are caused by solar zenith angle effects and by increased snow and ice cover. Net warming occurs between 35 deg N and 35 deg S latitude near the equinoxes and in a 90-deg-wide latitude band at the solstices centered around 35 deg latitude in the summer hemisphere. This energy surplus at lower latitudes coupled with an energy deficit in the poleward regions is the primary driver of atmospheric circulations. For the year, the global net radiation is nearly in balance.
Document ID
19910052001
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gibson, G. G.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Denn, F. M.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Young, D. F.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Harrison, E. F.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Minnis, P.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Barkstrom, B. R.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Meeting Information
Meeting: Long-term Monitoring of the Earth''s Radiation Budget
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: April 17, 1990
End Date: April 18, 1990
Sponsors: SPIE
Accession Number
91A36624
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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