The spectral signature of cloud spatial structure in shortwave irradiance.

摘要: Abstract. In this paper, we used cloud imagery from a NASA field experiment in conjunction with three-dimensional radiative transfer calculations to show that spatial structure manifests itself as spectral signature shortwave irradiance fields – specifically transmittance and net horizontal photon transport the visible near-ultraviolet wavelength range. We found robust correlation between magnitude of (H) its dependence (slope), which is scale-invariant holds for entire pixel population domain. This was surprising at first given large degree inhomogeneity. prove underlying physical mechanism phenomenon molecular scattering structure. On basis, developed simple parameterization through single parameter e, quantifies characteristic signature of inhomogeneities. case studied, neglecting leads local bias ±12–19 %, even relatively coarse resolution 20 km. Since effects depend on context given nontrivial way, dimension problem may emerge starting point future corrections.