Cloud Radiative Forcing Obtained from NOAA OLR Data

摘要

Estimates of planetary outgoing longwave radiation, commonly known as OLR, areavailable beginning in June 1974 and is continuing. These data have been used in numerous studies to diagnose and analyze the climate. Mostly, these data have been used as an index for clouds or precipitation rather that for its inherent energetic quantity. What we would like to do is suggest another way of utilizing these data that incorporates the effects of clouds as well as temperature changes on the OLR and ultimately provides a measure of diabatic heating of the atmosphere. This comes about through the concept of cloud forcing. Reprints. (jhd)