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Comparison of Satellite-Derived TOA Shortwave Clear-Sky Fluxes to Estimates from GCM Simulations Constrained by Satellite Observations of Land Surface CharacteristicsClear-sky, upwelling shortwave flux at the top of the atmosphere (S(sub TOA raised arrow)), simulated using the atmospheric and land model components of the Community Climate System Model 3 (CCSM3), is compared to corresponding observational estimates from the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) sensor. Improvements resulting from the use of land surface albedo derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to constrain the simulations are also examined. Compared to CERES observations, CCSM3 overestimates global, annual averaged S(sub TOA raised arrow) over both land and oceans. However, regionally, CCSM3 overestimates S(sub TOA raised arrow) over some land and ocean areas while underestimating it over other sites. CCSM3 underestimates S(sub TOA raised arrow) over the Saharan and Arabian Deserts and substantial differences exist between CERES observations and CCSM3 over agricultural areas. Over selected sites, after using groundbased observations to remove systematic biases that exist in CCSM computation of S(sub TOA raised arrow), it is found that use of MODIS albedo improves the simulation of S(sub TOA raised arrow). Inability of coarse resolution CCSM3 simulation to resolve spatial heterogeneity of snowfall over high altitude sites such as the Tibetan Plateau causes overestimation of S(sub TOA raised arrow) in these areas. Discrepancies also exist in the simulation of S(sub TOA raised arrow) over ocean areas as CCSM3 does not account for the effect of wind speed on ocean surface albedo. This study shows that the radiative energy budget at the TOA is improved through the use of MODIS albedo in Global Climate Models.
Document ID
20110014249
Acquisition Source
Stennis Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Anantharaj, Valentine G.
(Mississippi State Univ. Mississippi State, MS, United States)
Nair, Udaysankar S.
(National Space Science and Technology Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Lawrence, Peter
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Chase, Thomas N.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Christopher, Sundar
(National Space Science and Technology Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Jones, Thomas
(National Space Science and Technology Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
March 25, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: International Journal of Climatology
Volume: 30
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-0437583
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNS06AA58G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-0639838
CONTRACT_GRANT: NA06OAR4600181
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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