Effect of cloud cover and surface type on earth's radiation budget derived from the first year of ERBE dataOne year of ERBE data is analyzed for variations in outgoing LW and absorbed solar flux. Differences in land and ocean radiation budgets as well as differences between clear-sky and total scenes, including clouds, are studied. The variation of monthly average radiative parameters is examined for February 1985 through January 1986 for selected study regions and on zonal and global scales. ERBE results show significant seasonal variations in both outgoing LW and absorbed SW flux, and a pronounced difference between oceanic and continental surfaces. The main factors determining cloud radiative forcing in a given region are solar insolation, cloud amount, cloud type, and surface properties. The strongest effects of clouds are found in the midlatitude storm tracks over the oceans. Over much of the globe, LW warming is balanced by SW cooling. The annual-global average net cloud forcing shows that clouds have a net cooling effect on the earth for the year.
Document ID
19920031296
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)