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Testing the Two-Layer Model for Correcting Near Cloud Reflectance Enhancement Using LES/SHDOM Simulated Radiances
Guoyong Wen1,2, Alexander Marshak1, Tamás Várnai1,3
1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres : JGR
|August 4, 2020
Summary
Simple models estimate radiation enhancement from clouds. A new model including cloud-surface interactions (CSI) captures nearly 80% of this enhancement, improving satellite data accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Radiative Transfer
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Clouds scatter solar radiation into clear sky regions, creating a transition zone.
- Satellite observations show enhanced radiation near clouds, but 3D scattering is computationally expensive to model.
- Existing models estimate radiation scattered via cloud-molecular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a simple method to estimate cloud-induced radiation enhancement.
- Incorporate cloud-surface interactions (CSI) into existing models.
- Improve accuracy of satellite-based atmospheric retrievals.
Main Methods:
- Developed a two-layer model (2LM) including cloud-surface interactions (CSI).
- Compared model results to full 3D radiative transfer simulations (SHDOM).
- Used realistic cumulus cloud fields from UCLA Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model.
Main Results:
- The original 2LM (cloud-air molecule interactions) accounted for 64% of reflectance enhancement.
- The new 2LM+CSI model accounted for nearly 80% of reflectance enhancement.
- Remaining 20% may be explained by cloud-aerosol radiative interactions.
Conclusions:
- Simple models can effectively estimate 3D cloud radiative effects.
- Incorporating CSI significantly improves radiation enhancement estimates.
- These models can reduce biases in satellite retrievals of aerosols and clear-sky properties.
