Validation of a radiation model for estimation of longwave net radiation at the surface

Abstract

Longwave radiation calculations were performed for the south of France. The model proposed by Gonima, based on integration of the radiative transfer equation, was used to calculate the longwave net radiation at the surface under all sky conditions. Good agreement was obtained between measured and computed values using appropriate radio-sounding data for the atmospheric profiles. Some simple empirical expressions are proposed for the calculation of the temperature, water vapor density and pressure profiles, in order to simplify calculations of the longwave net radiation at the surface. Finally, special consideration has been given to the problem of describing temperature inversions in the atmosphere. -from Author