Aircraft measurements of the solar absorption by broken cloud fields: A case study

摘要: Measurements of broad-band radiation at solar (0.3–3.0 μm) and near-infrared (0.7–3.0 wavelengths are presented for three flights the Meteorological Research Flight C130 aircraft in broken cloud fields. The absorption is determined from observations made above top below base, using data two spectral bands to minimize errors sampling between different runs reduce scatter due edge effects. method assumes that layer visible region negligible compared with near-infrared. This allows average be calculated small sections track, which will generally include both fully clear totally overcast cases. smallest measured about 2%, agreement model results atmosphere. largest was found 8–12% (for a maximum depth 1 km), similar measurements reported cloud. An additional finding by field varies uniformly albedo, indicating parametrization numerical models can adequately described as simple function albedo partially cloudy areas.