Spectral absorption of solar radiation in cloudy atmospheres: a 20 cm-1 model.

Abstract

The spectral absorption of solar radiation in typical water clouds is determined using a radiative transfer model based on LOWTRAN transmission functions at a 20 cm-1 resolution and Monte Carlo simulations of photon pathlength distributions. Relative absorption by the vapor and droplets within each cloud is obtained, and both plane-parallel and horizontally finite clouds are considered. Results indicate slightly lower absorption than found previously, with boundary layer clouds typically absorbing 9% of the extraterrestrial insolation for overhead sun. -from Authors