Feasibility of estimating cloudy-sky surface longwave net radiation using satellite-derived surface shortwave net radiation

Abstract

Surface longwave net radiation (LWNR) is a vital component in the surface radiation budget. Major progress has been made in the estimations of clear-sky LWNR. However, the estimation of cloudy-sky LWNR remains a significant challenge. In this paper, a linear model (LM) and a multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) model were developed to estimate the cloudy-sky LWNR from a satellite-derived surface shortwave net radiation product. Spatially and temporally matched satellite data and ground-measured LWNR, which was collected at 24 sites from four networks, were used to build and validate the linear and MARS models. The effects of land cover, climate type, and surface elevation on the estimate of LWNR were also analyzed. The MARS model, incorporating the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and surface elevation (H) as the inputs, had the best performance. The determination coefficient, BIAS, and root mean square error (RMSE) were 0.51, 0.01 W/m2, and 26.10 W/m2, respectively. The developed model, when combined with freely distributed Global LAnd Surface Satellite (GLASS) products, showed promise for producing surface LWNR and all-sky surface net radiation.