Journal Information

Online ISSN: 1520-0450
Print ISSN:    0894-8763
Frequency:    Monthly
Previously titled:
Previously titled Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology, 1983-1987

Currently titled:
 Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

Volume 31, Issue 2 (February 1992)
Segal, M., J. Davis, 1992: The Impact of Deep Cumulus Reflection on the Ground-Level Global Irradiance. J. Appl. Meteor., 31, 217–222.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1992)031<0217:TIODCR>2.0.CO;2

The Impact of Deep Cumulus Reflection on the Ground-Level Global Irradiance

M. Segala and J. Davisb

aDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

bDepartment of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado





Abstract

The magnitude of solar irradiance reflected from deep cumulus clouds to the ground was evaluated using observations along the Front Range of Colorado. Solar-irradiance reflection around noon was found to cause increases of up to 250 W m−2. Enhancements of the global irradiance measured at the surface were observed to persist for 15–30 min. Occasionally, the increased global irradiance prevailed for a period of about 1 h. Model simulations implied similar patterns. It was evaluated that in some locations cloud reflection of solar irradiance may have a seasonal nonrandom pattern, thus increasing its significance. Estimation of the applied impact of cloud-reflected solar irradiance in several relevant situations is provided.

Received: February 5, 1991; Accepted: July 10, 1991

Cited by

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Online publication date: 1-Aug-2004.
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G. Pfister, R. L. McKenzie, J. B. Liley, A. Thomas, B. W. Forgan, C. N. Long. (2003) Cloud Coverage Based on All-Sky Imaging and Its Impact on Surface Solar Irradiance. Journal of Applied Meteorology 42:10, 1421-1434
Online publication date: 1-Oct-2003.
Abstract . Full Text . PDF (996 KB)