参加CMIP5的四个中国气候模式模拟的东亚冬季风年际变率

本文比较了中国参加“国际耦合模式比较计划”（CMIP5）的四个大气环流模式（即FGOALS-g2、FGOALS-s2、BCC-CSM1-1、BNU-ESM大气模式）在观测海温驱动下,对东亚冬季风（EAWM）气候态和年际变率的模拟能力。结果表明,在气候态上,四个模式均合理再现了EAWM高低层环流系统（包括低层西伯利亚高压（SH）、阿留申低压、异常偏北风、和中高层东亚大槽、西风急流）,其中对2 m气温和500 hPa高度场的模拟技巧最高,四个模式模拟的结果与再分析资料的空间相关系数都达到0.99。在年际变率上,分别对东亚北部地区（30°N～60°N,100°E～140°E）和东亚南部地区（0°～30°N,100°E～140°E）的2 m气温进行经验正交函数分解（EOF）,提取变率主导模态。结果表明,在东亚北部地区,四个模式对2 m气温第一模态（简称“北部型”）的空间分布均有很高的模拟技巧,但只有BNU-ESM能够较好再现其对应的年际变率,其模拟的时间序列与观测的相关系数为0.69。四个模式均能模拟出观测中的3.1 a主导周期,但只有FGOALS-s2和BNU-ESM能模拟出观测中的2.5 a主导周期。在东亚南部地区,模式模拟的前两个主模态共同解释观测中第一模态（简称“南部型”）的特征,其中FGOALS-g2、FGOALS-s2和BNU-ESM的综合模拟技巧较高,但只有BNU-ESM成功再现了观测中2.5 a和3.1 a的主导周期。机理分析表明,FGOALS-g2、FGOALS-s2、BNU-ESM三个模式能合理再现菲律宾海反气旋,同时对南部型有较高的模拟能力,而BCC-CSM1-1则未能有效再现菲律宾海反气旋,使得 BCC-CSM1-1对南部型模拟技巧较低。观测和四个模式模拟的结果一致表现出北极涛动（AO）与北部型PC1呈显著相关,影响大于SH。     

CMIP5模式对中国东部夏季不同强度降水气候态和年代际变化的模拟能力评估

利用东亚地区逐日降水资料,评估了17个CMIP5气候模式对中国东部夏季不同强度降水的时空分布、不同强度降水对1970年代末中国东部夏季总降水量年代际转折的贡献的模拟能力。从夏季不同强度降水占总降水的比重来看,在中国东北和华北地区,小雨和中雨占主导;而在华南和江淮地区,大雨和暴雨则相对更为重要。CMIP5模式可大致模拟出中国东部小雨、大雨和暴雨占总降水比重的空间分布,但对中雨占比的空间分布模拟较差。总体说来,多数CMIP5模式高估了小雨和中雨的比重,但低估了大雨和暴雨的比重,从而导致大多数模式高估东北和华北的总降水量,而低估华南和江淮的总降水量。对1970年代末我国华北和江淮地区夏季降水量的年代际转折,观测资料表明该转折主要体现为大雨和暴雨雨量的年代际转折;仅有少数CMIP5模式能模拟出华北大雨和暴雨年代际减少的特征,使得这些模式对华北地区总降水的年代际变化也有较好的模拟能力。对于江淮区域,由于大雨和暴雨的比重被严重低估,尽管部分模式能模拟出夏季总降水量年代际增加的特征,但却多以小雨、中雨的年代际变化为主。多模式集合并不能显著提高模式对不同强度降水的空间分布的模拟能力,尤其是降水年代际变化的模拟能力。     

CMIP5气候模式对中国东部夏季降水年代际变化的模拟性能评估

使用分类集合的方法评估了第五次耦合模式比较计划(CMIP5)多个耦合模式对中国东部夏季降水年代际变化的模拟性能.结果表明,在评估的38个模式中,仅有6个模式(第1类模式)可以成功再现1970年代末中国东部夏季降水年代际变化的主要特征,即长江流域降水偏多、而华北和华南偏少.这些模式模拟的成功归因于它们能较好再现1970年代末东亚夏季风的年代际减弱及相关的环流场的变化,包括东亚沿海的偏北风异常以及西太平洋副热带高压的偏向西南、强度增强等.而对降水年代际变化模拟很差的第2类模式,则模拟出不出东亚夏季风的这种减弱特征.进一步的分析表明,两类CMIP5模式对太平洋年代际振荡(PDO)空间分布特征都有较好的再现能力,但对PDO年代际转变特征的模拟能力则差异较大.第1类模式能很好地模拟出1970年代末热带海洋的增暖和相关的PDO位相由负到正的转换,而第2类模式所模拟的PDO位相转变与观测完全相反,且也不能模拟出热带中东太平洋海洋的年代际增暖及江淮流域夏季的变冷,因此导致该类模式对1970年代末东亚夏季风的减弱和中国东部夏季雨型的年代际转变没有模拟能力.由此也表明,对耦合模式来说,中国夏季降水年代际变化的模拟能力在很大程度上取决于模式对海洋年代际变化信号的模拟.     

全球海气耦合模式对中国区域年代际气候变化预测能力的评估

利用4个海气耦合模式对1960～2005年的多年代际回报结果,评估模式对中国区域年代际气候变化(温度和降水)的预测潜力,并初步给出2005～2015年的气候预测结果。与CMIP3多模式集合1960～2000年结果以及观测实况比较的结果表明:融入观测资料进行同化的年代际气候预测模式,对中国区域温度和降水的模拟能力总体好于CMIP3模式。年代际气候预测模式对温度气候场的模拟仍以"冷偏差"为主,但较之CMIP3模式已有显著改进,中国区域平均的冷偏差减少1.3°C;对降水气候场的模拟仍以"湿偏差"为主,但在华南沿海和西北内陆降水的模拟能力优于CMIP3模式,中国区域平均的湿偏差降低了20%。年代际模式和CMIP3模式都能较好地模拟出中国区域尤其是北方20世纪后期的增暖信号;但CMIP3模式对20世纪后期中国东部降水的旱涝结构演变的模拟与观测相反;而年代际气候预测模式未能再现华北偏旱的变化,但能成功地模拟江淮流域和华南沿海的旱涝演变。2005～2015年的10年预测表明中国区域将继续增暖0.3～0.7°C,且增温幅度北方大于南方,增幅中心位于西北内陆和青藏高原;而降水的变化趋势不显著,黄淮地区、西北内陆和青藏高原的降水略有增加,而西南地区降水将减少。但需要指出的是,这种预测的不确定性是相当大的。     

BCC_CSM模式对热带降水年循环模态的模拟

本文评估了国家气候中心发展的两个不同分辨率海—陆—气—冰多圈层耦合气候系统模式BCC_CSM1.1和BCC_CSM1.1 (m) 对热带降水两个年循环模态——揭示降水冬夏季节差异的季风模态和揭示过渡季节春季和秋季非对称特征的春秋非对称模态的模拟能力,讨论了模拟偏差产生的可能原因。分析结果表明,BCC_CSM1.1和BCC_CSM1.1 (m) 均能合理再现全球年平均降水的基本分布特征,也能较合理再现热带降水年循环模态的基本分布特征,尤其季风模态中降水与环流关于赤道反对称的特征;能够较合理再现春秋非对称模态与热带海洋表面温度(SST)年循环之间的关系。大气温度场、环流场以及热带SST的模拟偏差对降水季风模态有影响;热带SST年循环的偏差对降水春秋非对称模态的模拟偏差有贡献;模式分辨率对降水年循环模态的模拟也有一定影响。对比分析显示,大气模式和陆面模式水平分辨率提高之后模式在某些模拟性能上有所提高,这表现在:BCC_CSM1.1 (m) 模拟的1～12月降水气候态的空间变率更接近观测;热带海表温度年循环总体上更接近观测;模拟的热带降水年循环模态的部分特征更合理。但BCC_CSM1.1 (m) 的模拟结果相对观测仍存在较大偏差,有待进一步改进。     

BCC_CSM1.1(m) 模式对热带太平洋潜热通量的评估

利用1979—2005年OAFlux (Objectively Analyzed air-sea Fluxes) 观测资料以及CMIP5的15个耦合模式的模拟结果,评估了BCC_CSM1.1(m) 模式对热带太平洋年平均潜热通量气候态和变化趋势的模拟能力,并分析造成趋势偏差的可能原因。结果表明:BCC_CSM1.1(m) 模式模拟热带太平洋年平均潜热通量气候态在各纬度上差异较大, 其中在赤道的模拟能力较佳,而在10°N和8°S附近模拟偏差较大;BCC_CSM1.1(m) 模式对热带太平洋年平均潜热通量趋势的模拟能力一般,造成趋势偏差的主要原因是该模式低估了风速对潜热通量的局地贡献以及它对风速的非局地贡献的模拟存在较大偏差。此外,该模式未能较好地模拟出风速对全球变暖响应。因此,BCC_CSM1.1(m) 模式对热带太平洋年平均潜热通量趋势模拟的改进需加强其对风速模拟的改进。     

BCC_CSM1.1气候模式年代际试验对中国气候的回报能力评估

对比国家气候中心耦合模式BCC_CSM1.1提交CMIP5的历史（Historical）试验和年代际（Decadal）回报试验对中国气候及其年代际变化的模拟。结果表明,Decadal试验回报的中国降水气候分布更接近观测,回报的中国东部气温和降水的年代际距平误差比Historical试验减小明显。对于发生在20世纪70年代末的中国东部降水年代际变化,Decadal试验能回报出长江中下游降水增多的特征,但Historical试验模拟的降水变化与观测相反。由于Decadal试验和Historical试验的区别之一是后者利用观测海温资料进行了初始化,为了探讨观测海温信息的重要性,进一步将Decadal试验与恢复（Nudging）试验（即模式积分过程中,模拟海温始终向观测海温恢复）的模拟结果进行对比。发现Nudging试验能够较好地模拟出“南涝北旱”型降水变化,也能够模拟出相应的东亚急流增强且偏南的特征。这表明气候模式对海温的回报能力是影响其对东亚气候年代际异常模拟的一个重要因素。     

MRI模式对华南春雨气候态及年际变率的模拟：不同模式分辨率的比较

本文利用日本气象研究所（MRI）参加第五次国际耦合模式比较计划（CMIP5）的大气环流模式在高、中、低三种分辨率下的AMIP试验结果,评估了其对华南春雨气候态和年际变率的模拟能力,比较了不同分辨率的模拟结果。结果表明,三种不同水平分辨率（120 km、60 km和20 km）的模式均能再现北半球春季位于中国东南部的降水中心。相较于120 km模式,20 km模式能够更为合理地模拟出华南春雨位于南岭—武夷山脉的降水中心。水汽收支分析表明,60 km、20 km模式高估了水汽辐合,使得华南春雨的降水强度被高估。在年际变率方面,在三种分辨率下,模式均能较好地再现观测中El Ni?o衰减年春季的西北太平洋反气旋以及华南春雨降水正异常。较之120 km模式,60 km、20 km模式模拟的降水正异常的空间分布和强度更接近观测,原因是后者模拟的El Ni?o衰减年春季华南地区的水平水汽平流异常更接近观测。本研究表明,发展高分辨率气候模式是提高华南春雨的气候态和年际变率模拟水平的有效途径之一。     

BCC_CSM1.1(m)模式对初夏东北冷涡的模拟及应用

利用1991-2017年BCC_CSM1.1（m）模式模拟数据和NCEP/NCAR逐月再分析资料,评估了BCC_CSM1.1（m）对初夏东北冷涡的模拟能力。结果表明：BCC_CSM1.1（m）模式可以对500 hPa位势高度场气候态进行模拟,均方根误差显示该模式对中国东北南部地区500 hPa位势高度场的模拟要优于东北北部地区。EOF第一模态结果显示,该模式可以较好地模拟出500 hPa位势高度场的主要时空变化特征。BCC_CSM1.1（m）模式能够模拟出近27 a东北冷涡指数的上升趋势和年际变化,但模拟的上升趋势较实况偏强,年际变率较实况偏弱。BCC_CSM1.1（m）模式能够模拟出东北冷涡指数的年代际突变,但是对突变开始时间的模拟较实况偏晚。BCC_CSM1.1（m）模式能够模拟出东北冷涡指数和500 hPa位势高度场在东北及其附近地区的显著正相关,不能模拟出东北冷涡指数与东北初夏降水之间的显著负相关。此外,模式东北冷涡指数对东北初夏降水的预测能力十分有限。     

BCC_CSM1.1气候模式年代际试验对北极涛动季节回报能力的初步评估

本文基于国家气候中心气候系统模式BCC_CSM1.1自1960—2004年每年起报的年代际预测试验结果,初步评估了该模式对北极涛动（AO）的预报技巧。同时,把该模式年代际预测结果与历史试验模拟比较,分析了气候模式初始化对年代际试验预测季节尺度AO及其年际变化的贡献。结果表明,年代际试验和历史试验均能反映出AO模态是北半球中高纬大气变率第一模态的特征,其中年代际预测试验回报的AO模态与观测的空间相关系数高于历史试验。两组试验基本能再现AO指数冬季最强、夏季最弱的特征。与历史试验相比,年代际预测试验回报月和冬季AO指数与观测的相关系数更高,特别是年代际试验与观测的月AO指数相关系数达到了0.1的显著性水平。年代际试验回报月、春季AO指数的变化周期更接近观测结果。因此,年代际试验中初始状态使用海温资料进行初始化,在一定程度上可以提高AO的回报能力。     

CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS OF CLIMATIC EXTREMES IN CHINA DURING 1959–2014

The spatial and temporal variations of daily maximum temperature(Tmax), daily minimum temperature(Tmin), daily maximum precipitation(Pmax) and daily maximum wind speed(WSmax) were examined in China using Mann-Kendall test and linear regression method. The results indicated that for China as a whole, Tmax, Tmin and Pmax had significant increasing trends at rates of 0.15℃ per decade, 0.45℃ per decade and 0.58 mm per decade,respectively, while WSmax had decreased significantly at 1.18 m·s~(-1) per decade during 1959—2014. In all regions of China, Tmin increased and WSmax decreased significantly. Spatially, Tmax increased significantly at most of the stations in South China(SC), northwestern North China(NC), northeastern Northeast China(NEC), eastern Northwest China(NWC) and eastern Southwest China(SWC), and the increasing trends were significant in NC, SC, NWC and SWC on the regional average. Tmin increased significantly at most of the stations in China, with notable increase in NEC, northern and southeastern NC and northwestern and eastern NWC. Pmax showed no significant trend at most of the stations in China, and on the regional average it decreased significantly in NC but increased in SC, NWC and the mid-lower Yangtze River valley(YR). WSmax decreased significantly at the vast majority of stations in China, with remarkable decrease in northern NC, northern and central YR, central and southern SC and in parts of central NEC and western NWC. With global climate change and rapidly economic development, China has become more vulnerable to climatic extremes and meteorological disasters, so more strategies of mitigation and/or adaptation of climatic extremes,such as environmentally-friendly and low-cost energy production systems and the enhancement of engineering defense measures are necessary for government and social publics.     

ANALYSIS OF “BIMODAL PATTERN” STORM ACTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BAY OF BENGAL

Storms that occur at the Bay of Bengal (BoB) are of a bimodal pattern, which is different from that of the other sea areas. By using the NCEP, SST and JTWC data, the causes of the bimodal pattern storm activity of the BoB are diagnosed and analyzed in this paper. The result shows that the seasonal variation of general atmosphere circulation in East Asia has a regulating and controlling impact on the BoB storm activity, and the “bimodal period” of the storm activity corresponds exactly to the seasonal conversion period of atmospheric circulation. The minor wind speed of shear spring and autumn contributed to the storm, which was a crucial factor for the generation and occurrence of the “bimodal pattern” storm activity in the BoB. The analysis on sea surface temperature (SST) shows that the SSTs of all the year around in the BoB area meet the conditions required for the generation of tropical cyclones (TCs). However, the SSTs in the central area of the bay are higher than that of the surrounding areas in spring and autumn, which facilitates the occurrence of a “two-peak” storm activity pattern. The genesis potential index (GPI) quantifies and reflects the environmental conditions for the generation of the BoB storms. For GPI, the intense low-level vortex disturbance in the troposphere and high-humidity atmosphere are the sufficient conditions for storms, while large maximum wind velocity of the ground vortex radius and small vertical wind shear are the necessary conditions of storms.     

LOW-FREQUENCY CIRCULATION AND EXTENDED-RANGE FORECAST IN CONNECTION WITH AUTUMN EXTREME HEAVY RAINFALL PROCESS IN HAINAN

Observed daily precipitation data from the National Meteorological Observatory in Hainan province and daily data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis-2 dataset from 1981 to 2014 are used to analyze the relationship between Hainan extreme heavy rainfall processes in autumn (referred to as EHRPs) and 10–30 d low-frequency circulation. Based on the key low-frequency signals and the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) model forecasting products, a dynamical-statistical method is established for the extended-range forecast of EHRPs. The results suggest that EHRPs have a close relationship with the 10–30 d low-frequency oscillation of 850 hPa zonal wind over Hainan Island and to its north, and that they basically occur during the trough phase of the low-frequency oscillation of zonal wind. The latitudinal propagation of the low-frequency wave train in the middle-high latitudes and the meridional propagation of the low-frequency wave train along the coast of East Asia contribute to the ‘north high (cold), south low (warm)’ pattern near Hainan Island, which results in the zonal wind over Hainan Island and to its north reaching its trough, consequently leading to EHRPs. Considering the link between low-frequency circulation and EHRPs, a low-frequency wave train index (LWTI) is defined and adopted to forecast EHRPs by using NCEP CFSv2 forecasting products. EHRPs are predicted to occur during peak phases of LWTI with value larger than 1 for three or more consecutive forecast days. Hindcast experiments for EHRPs in 2015–2016 indicate that EHRPs can be predicted 8–24 d in advance, with an average period of validity of 16.7 d.     

AN ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION IN THE BEIJING–TIANJIN–HEBEI REGION UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

Based on the measurements obtained at 64 national meteorological stations in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region between 1970 and 2013, the potential evapotranspiration (ET0) in this region was estimated using the Penman–Monteith equation and its sensitivity to maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), wind speed (Vw), net radiation (Rn) and water vapor pressure (Pwv) was analyzed, respectively. The results are shown as follows. (1) The climatic elements in the BTH region underwent significant changes in the study period. Vw and Rn decreased significantly, whereas Tmin, Tmax and Pwv increased considerably. (2) In the BTH region, ET0 also exhibited a significant decreasing trend, and the sensitivity of ET0 to the climatic elements exhibited seasonal characteristics. Of all the climatic elements, ET0 was most sensitive to Pwv in the fall and winter and Rn in the spring and summer. On the annual scale, ET0 was most sensitive to Pwv, followed by Rn, Vw, Tmax and Tmin. In addition, the sensitivity coefficient of ET0 with respect to Pwv had a negative value for all the areas, indicating that increases in Pwv can prevent ET0 from increasing. (3) The sensitivity of ET0 to Tmin and Tmax was significantly lower than its sensitivity to other climatic elements. However, increases in temperature can lead to changes in Pwv and Rn. The temperature should be considered the key intrinsic climatic element that has caused the "evaporation paradox" phenomenon in the BTH region.     

Could the Recent Taal Volcano Eruption Trigger an El Ni?o and Lead to Eurasian Warming?

正The Taal Volcano in Luzon is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes of the Philippines. A recent eruption occurred on 12 January 2020(Fig. 1a), and this volcano is still active with the occurrence of volcanic earthquakes. The eruption has become a deep concern worldwide, not only for its damage on local society, but also for potential hazardous consequences on the Earth's climate and environment.     

VARIABILITY OF INTER-ANNUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE AND HUAXI REGION’S AUTUMN PRECIPITATION

The moving-window correlation analysis was applied to investigate the relationship between autumn Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events and the synchronous autumn precipitation in Huaxi region, based on the daily precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric circulation data from 1960 to 2012. The correlation curves of IOD and the early modulation of Huaxi region’s autumn precipitation indicated a mutational site appeared in the 1970s. During 1960 to 1979, when the IOD was in positive phase in autumn, the circulations changed from a “W” shape to an ”M” shape at 500 hPa in Asia middle-high latitude region. Cold flux got into the Sichuan province with Northwest flow, the positive anomaly of the water vapor flux transported from Western Pacific to Huaxi region strengthened, caused precipitation increase in east Huaxi region. During 1980 to 1999, when the IOD in autumn was positive phase, the atmospheric circulation presented a “W” shape at 500 hPa, the positive anomaly of the water vapor flux transported from Bay of Bengal to Huaxi region strengthened, caused precipitation ascend in west Huaxi region. In summary, the Indian Ocean changed from cold phase to warm phase since the 1970s, caused the instability of the inter-annual relationship between the IOD and the autumn rainfall in Huaxi region.     

Revisiting the Concentration Observations and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Ammonia

正While China’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan on particulate matter since 2013 has reduced sulfate significantly, aerosol ammonium nitrate remains high in East China. As the high nitrate abundances are strongly linked with ammonia, reducing ammonia emissions is becoming increasingly important to improve the air quality of China. Although satellite data provide evidence of substantial increases in atmospheric ammonia concentrations over major agricultural regions, long-term surface observation of ammonia concentrations are sparse. In addition, there is still no consensus on     

全球贸易隐含碳变化及其影响分析

基于最新的GTAP8 (Global Trade Analysis Project）数据库,使用投入产出法,分析了2004年到2007年全球贸易变化下南北集团贸易隐含碳变化及对全球碳排放的影响。结果显示,随着发展中国家进出口规模扩张,全球贸易隐含碳流向的重心逐渐向发展中国家转移。2004年到2007年,发达国家高端设备制造业和服务业出口以及发展中国家资源、能源密集型行业及中低端制造业出口的趋势加强,该过程的生产转移导致全球碳排放增长4.15亿t,占研究时段全球贸易隐含碳增量的63%。未来发展中国家的出口隐含碳比重还将进一步提高。贸易变化带来的南北集团隐含碳流动变化对全球应对气候变化行动的影响日益突出,发达国家对此负有重要责任。     

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS DATA OF AIR–SEA TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE AND ITS VARIATION ACROSS SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE PAST 35 YEARS

Using the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set(ICOADS) and ERA-Interim data, spatial distributions of air-sea temperature difference(ASTD) in the South China Sea(SCS) for the past 35 years are compared,and variations of spatial and temporal distributions of ASTD in this region are addressed using empirical orthogonal function decomposition and wavelet analysis methods. The results indicate that both ICOADS and ERA-Interim data can reflect actual distribution characteristics of ASTD in the SCS, but values of ASTD from the ERA-Interim data are smaller than those of the ICOADS data in the same region. In addition, the ASTD characteristics from the ERA-Interim data are not obvious inshore. A seesaw-type, north-south distribution of ASTD is dominant in the SCS; i.e., a positive peak in the south is associated with a negative peak in the north in November, and a negative peak in the south is accompanied by a positive peak in the north during April and May. Interannual ASTD variations in summer or autumn are decreasing. There is a seesaw-type distribution of ASTD between Beibu Bay and most of the SCS in summer, and the center of large values is in the Nansha Islands area in autumn. The ASTD in the SCS has a strong quasi-3a oscillation period in all seasons, and a quasi-11 a period in winter and spring. The ASTD is positively correlated with the Nio3.4 index in summer and autumn but negatively correlated in spring and winter.     

Retrieval of outgoing longwave radiation from COMS narrowband infrared imagery

Hourly outgoing longwave radiation(OLR) from the geostationary satellite Communication Oceanography Meteorological Satellite(COMS) has been retrieved since June 2010. The COMS OLR retrieval algorithms are based on regression analyses of radiative transfer simulations for spectral functions of COMS infrared channels. This study documents the accuracies of OLRs for future climate applications by making an intercomparison of four OLRs from one single-channel algorithm(OLR12.0using the 12.0 μm channel) and three multiple-channel algorithms(OLR10.8+12.0using the 10.8 and 12.0 μm channels; OLR6.7+10.8using the 6.7 and 10.8 μm channels; and OLR All using the 6.7, 10.8, and 12.0 μm channels). The COMS OLRs from these algorithms were validated with direct measurements of OLR from a broadband radiometer of the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System(CERES) over the full COMS field of view [roughly(50°S–50°N, 70°–170°E)] during April 2011.Validation results show that the root-mean-square errors of COMS OLRs are 5–7 W m-2, which indicates good agreement with CERES OLR over the vast domain. OLR6.7+10.8and OLR All have much smaller errors(～ 6 W m-2) than OLR12.0and OLR10.8+12.0(～ 8 W m-2). Moreover, the small errors of OLR6.7+10.8and OLR All are systematic and can be readily reduced through additional mean bias correction and/or radiance calibration. These results indicate a noteworthy role of the6.7 μm water vapor absorption channel in improving the accuracy of the OLRs. The dependence of the accuracy of COMS OLRs on various surface, atmospheric, and observational conditions is also discussed.