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Title: Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data

Abstract

To understand the role of clouds in the atmospheric circulation and in the modulation of energy available at the surface, their effect on the atmospheric and surface absorption should be determined. The C1 data of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, along with the Satellite Algorithm for Shortwave Radiation Budget, are used to estimate the shortwave cloud effects in terms of the cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), at the surface and of the atmospheric column on a global scale for the July months of 1983-1985. Global means of TOA cloud forcing range from [minus]43.6 (1983) to [minus]39.1 Wm[sup [minus]2] (1985). The cloud forcing for July 1985 is underestimated, by about 8 Wm[sup [minus]2], compared with that obtained from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. The cloud forcing at the surface is almost identical to that at the TOA, indicating that the effect of clouds on the shortwave energy budget of the surface-atmosphere system is such that most of the cooling is at the surface. Regression analysis of the computed fluxes shows a strong linear correlation between the TOA and surface cloud forcing. The monthly averaged regional values of the atmospheric cloud forcing are generally less than themore » estimated uncertainty of 20 Wm[sup [minus]2]. Assuming that the uncertainties cancel, the global mean of the atmospheric cloud forcing is between 1 and 2 Wm[sup [minus]2], suggesting a slight warming owing to the presence of clouds. 35 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park (United States) Hungarian Meteorological Service, Budapest (Hungary)
  2. Univ. of Maryland, College Park (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6702170
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 98:D2; Journal ID: ISSN 0148-0227
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; CLOUDS; ABSORPTION; GLOBAL ASPECTS; EARTH ATMOSPHERE; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; HEATING; SHORT WAVE RADIATION; SOLAR RADIATION; ALBEDO; ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION; COOLING; DIFFUSE SOLAR RADIATION; DIRECT SOLAR RADIATION; ENERGY; ENERGY BALANCE; MODULATION; REGRESSION ANALYSIS; CLIMATIC CHANGE; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; MATHEMATICS; RADIATIONS; RADIOWAVE RADIATION; SOLAR FLUX; SORPTION; STATISTICS; STELLAR RADIATION; 540110*; 540210 - Environment, Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)

Citation Formats

Laszlo, I, and Pinker, R T. Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data. United States: N. p., 1993. Web. doi:10.1029/92JD02667.
Laszlo, I, & Pinker, R T. Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD02667
Laszlo, I, and Pinker, R T. 1993. "Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD02667.
@article{osti_6702170,
title = {Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data},
author = {Laszlo, I and Pinker, R T},
abstractNote = {To understand the role of clouds in the atmospheric circulation and in the modulation of energy available at the surface, their effect on the atmospheric and surface absorption should be determined. The C1 data of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, along with the Satellite Algorithm for Shortwave Radiation Budget, are used to estimate the shortwave cloud effects in terms of the cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), at the surface and of the atmospheric column on a global scale for the July months of 1983-1985. Global means of TOA cloud forcing range from [minus]43.6 (1983) to [minus]39.1 Wm[sup [minus]2] (1985). The cloud forcing for July 1985 is underestimated, by about 8 Wm[sup [minus]2], compared with that obtained from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. The cloud forcing at the surface is almost identical to that at the TOA, indicating that the effect of clouds on the shortwave energy budget of the surface-atmosphere system is such that most of the cooling is at the surface. Regression analysis of the computed fluxes shows a strong linear correlation between the TOA and surface cloud forcing. The monthly averaged regional values of the atmospheric cloud forcing are generally less than the estimated uncertainty of 20 Wm[sup [minus]2]. Assuming that the uncertainties cancel, the global mean of the atmospheric cloud forcing is between 1 and 2 Wm[sup [minus]2], suggesting a slight warming owing to the presence of clouds. 35 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs.},
doi = {10.1029/92JD02667},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6702170}, journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)},
issn = {0148-0227},
number = ,
volume = 98:D2,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Sat Feb 20 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}