Accuracy of CM-SAF solar irradiance incident on horizontal surface

The Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility (CM-SAF) provides estimates of global solar irradiance incident on horizontal surface at Earth surface. Measurements performed in 2010 at five Romanian meteorological stations are used to test the accuracy of the CM-SAF irradiance data. The dataset contains null solar global irradiance values, which cannot be explained by very large values of the zenith angle neither by overcast sky conditions. Sub-databases have been created. The database Z85 consists of irradiance data, without filtering and processing. The database Z85SIS+ remove all null irradiance values. For a given database, the root mean square error (RMSE) with respect to the ground-based measurements is rather similar for all stations, i.e. around 35 % for Z85 and 24 % for Z85SIS+. On average, the database Z85SIS+ has smaller mean bias error (MBE) than the database Z85, independent of the degree of cloudiness. For the database Z85, MBE (RMSE) ranges, depending on station, between ?9.4 and ?1.2 % (35.3 and 39.1 %). For database Z85SIS+, the MBE (RMSE) ranges, depending on station, between ?4.0 and 0.1 % (23.0 and 29.1 %). On overcast sky, we found for some stations MBE?=??0.1 % and RMSE?=?46.4 % when the database Z85SIS+ has been considered. The accuracy of the database Z85 is lower; we found MBE?=??7.0 % and RMSE?=?58.8 % as extreme cases.     

The 11-yr ozone modulation of extreme surface air temperatures

Summary The opposite effect of the total ozone on daily maximum and minimum air temperatures is one of the reasons for the failure of the correlation between solar activity and surface air temperature by means of mean daily values. The solar-related fluctuations in the atmospheric total ozone are found to be responsible for the observed correlations between solar activity and separately daily maximum and minimum air temperatures. The present evidence indicates that ozone serves as a stratospheric shutter modulating both the incoming daytime visible solar energy flux and the Earth's night-time upward infrared radiation transferred downward.

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Zusammenfassung Der umgekehrte Effekt des gesamten Ozons auf die Tagesmaxima und -minima der Lufttemperatur ist einer der Gründe für die mißglückte Korrelation zwischen Sonnenaktivität und Oberflächenlufttemperatur, wie sie bis jetzt aus Tagesmittelwerten ermittelt wurde. Die sonnenabhängige Fluktuation im atmosphärischen Gesamtozon erwies sich als Ursache der genannten Korrelation zwischen Sonnenaktivität und täglichen Maxima und Minima der Lufttemperaturen andererseits. Damit wird darauf hingewiesen, daß Ozon als stratosphärischer Absorber sowohl für die tagsüber einfallende sichtbare Sonnenstrahlung als auch für die nächtliche, rücktransferrierte Erdinfrarotabstrahlung wirkt.

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With 1 Figure     

Influence of the total atmospheric optical depth and cloud cover on solar irradiance components

Broadband solar irradiance data obtained in the spectral range 400–940 nm at Kwangju, South Korea from 1999–2000 have been analyzed to investigate the effects of cloud cover and atmospheric optical depth on solar radiation components. Results from measurements indicate that the percentage of direct and diffuse horizontal components of solar irradiance depend largely on total optical depth (TOD) and cloud cover. During summer and spring, the percentages of diffuse solar irradiance relative to the global irradiance were 5.0% and 4.9% as compared to 2.2% and 3.0% during winter and autumn. The diffuse solar irradiance is higher than the direct in spring and summer by 24.2%, and 40.6%, respectively, which may largely be attributed to the attenuation (scattering) of radiation by heavy dust pollution and large cloud amount. In cloud-free conditions with cloud cover ≤2/10, the fraction of the direct and diffuse components were 66.0% and 34.0%, respectively, with a mean daily global irradiance value of 7.92±2.91 MJ m⁻² day⁻¹. However, under cloudy conditions (with cloud cover ≥8/10), the diffuse and direct fractions were 97.9% and 2.2% of the global component, respectively. The annual mean TOD under cloudless conditions (cloud cover≤2/10) yields 0.74±0.33 and increased to as much as 3.15±0.67 under cloudy conditions with cloud amount ≥8/10. An empirical formula is derived for estimating the diffuse and direct components of horizontal solar irradiance by considering the total atmospheric optical depth (TOD). Results from statistical models are shown for the estimation of solar irradiance components as a function of TOD with sufficient accuracy as indicated by low standard error for each solar zenith angle (SZA).     

Measurements of arctic total ozone during the polar winter

Abstract

Ground‐based measurements of total ozone were made during the polar night from Arctic stations in the winters of 1987–88 and 1988–89. The measurements were made with automated Brewer ozone spectrophotometers using the moon as a light source. Data were obtained from Alert and Resolute in Canada for both winters and from Heiss Island, USSR, for the second winter. The method of measurement is briefly reviewed and data from the three stations are presented. The ground‐based total ozone measurements are compared with the integrated values derived from ozonesonde profiles.     

Nonlinear Retrieval of Atmospheric Ozone Profile from Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Measurements:Theory and Simulation

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Long-term patterns of solar irradiance forcing in model experiments and proxy based surface temperature reconstructions

Comparisons are made of long-term empirical and model-estimated patterns of solar irradiance forcing during a 200-year period (1650-1850), which precedes any apparent anthropogenic influence on climate. This interval encompasses a considerable range (approximately 4 W/m²) of estimated variation in solar output, including the "Maunder" and "Dalton" Minima of solar irradiance, and an intervening interval of relatively high values of irradiance, but does not encroach into the industrial era wherein it is difficult to separate solar and anthropogenic influences. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing empirical and modeled patterns of forced surface temperature variation. The empirical patterns bear a greater similarity to the pattern of forced response of a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (AOGCM) than with an independent model simulation result using an ocean with specified heat transport, both in terms of the spatial pattern of response and implied global mean sensitivity to forcing. Heightened sensitivity in the western Pacific warm pool apparent in the empirical response pattern, is not observed in the forced response of the coupled model. It is possible that this pattern is the result of feedback processes not currently reproduced in course-resolution coupled models. The greatest empirical response is found at the multidecadal-to-century (> 40 year period) time scale, for which the forcing is dominated by the roughly 90-year Gleissberg Cycle of irradiance. This indicates a global-mean sensitivity (approximately 0.3 K/W/m²), which is close to the coupled model result (approximately 0.4 K/W/m²). At decadal time scales (8-25 year period), for which the forcing is dominated by the 11-year and 22-year period solar cycles), the temperature sensitivity is moderately reduced, and its spatial pattern of response is dominated by an apparent resonance with known decadal modes of climate variability.     

Numerical experiment of combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation remote sensing to determine the profile and total content of atmospheric ozone

A new remote sensing method is described to determine the vertical distribution and total content of atmospheric ozone. The method combines surface infrared, satellite infrared and ultraviolet channels. The width of the infrared channels is 0.01 cm-1, less than Lorentz half-width at the earth’s surface, rather than the present width, because these channels can obtain information about variations in the ozone profile below the profile main-peak. The numerical experiments show that the method has a satisfactory precision in determining total ozone content, just about 1 percent error, and vertical distribution from the earth to 65 km space. In addition, some semi-analysis functions for calculating backscattered ultraviolet and a relaxation equation are described in this paper.     

中国不同时间尺度地表太阳总辐射估算研究

利用全国95个气象站点逐日地表太阳总辐射和日照时数资料,通过最小二乘法拟合回归建立地表太阳总辐射气候学计算模型。通过对比分析以日值和月值为起点的地表太阳总辐射计算模型的精度,确定了全国不同省份和区域的不同时间尺度（月、季节、生长季和年）地表太阳总辐射计算模型,并探讨了经验系数a、b值的分布及变化特征。结果表明,以日值和月值为起点建立的月、四季、生长季和年地表太阳总辐射计算模型精度无显著性差异,相对误差均低于8.5%,但以日值为起点的计算模型a、b值变异性更小。在以日值为起点建立计算模型的前提下,全国各地a、b值自西北部向南部减小,且从四季到生长季再到年尺度,随着时间尺度增大,a、b值振幅减小。根据不同省份年地表太阳总辐射计算模型经验系数a、b值,全国可划分为新甘蒙地区、青藏高原地区和中东部地区3个区域,分别确定了每个区域四季、生长季和年尺度下地表太阳总辐射计算模型。各区域不同时间尺度地表太阳总辐射计算模型均通过了显著性检验（p<0.01）,其中青藏高原地区和新甘蒙地区模型相对误差低于8.0%,模拟精度较高。     

支持向量机方法在南京太阳总辐射推算中的应用

利用1981、1996和2001年逐日南京站太阳总辐射和日照时数观测资料,建立了基于支持向量机(support vector machine,SVM)方法的太阳总辐射推算模型,预测了1982、1997和2002年的太阳总辐射,并把推算结果和采用线性的气候学方法所得到的推算结果分别与实测值进行对比。采用线性方法得到的1982、1997和2002年的太阳总辐射预测值与实测值间基于1:1线的决定系数(R~2)分别为0.800、0.859和0.838,均方根误差(RMSE)分别为3.250、2.649和2.925 MJ·m~(-2)·d~(-1)。采用SVM方法得到的1982、1997和2002年的R~2分别为0.894、0.938和0.936,RMSE分别为2.353、1.726和1.804 MJ·m~(-2)·d~(-1)。SVM方法得到的太阳总辐射预测值与实测值之间的误差较小,预测精度高于线性方法,更适用于实际太阳总辐射的计算。     

太阳辐射各因子的变化对太阳紫外辐射的影响

利用北京地区１９９０年太阳分光辐射的观测资料，计算了影响太阳紫外辐射的各因子的变化所引起的太阳紫外辐射的变化。当臭氧、水汽、气溶胶分别减少５％时，到达地面的太阳紫外辐射将分别增加０．８４％、０．２７％和１．９０％。在分析太阳紫外辐射的变化趋势时，应当全面考虑各个因子的影响。     

On the attenuation of direct solar irradiance in Athens due to aerosols

Summary In this study the trend of the time sequence of the integral aerosol optical depth (k _a), as proposed by Unsworth and Monteith, was determined for clear days in summer for the period 1962–1988 in Athens. The trend was found by fitting a third degree polynomial curve and it was concluded that (k _a) showed a considerable increase (i.e. from the value of 0.18 to 0.31) in the period 1962–1976 and remained approximately constant until 1979, after which it started decreasing again slowly until 1988. The increase of (k _a) in the period 1962–1976 is likely attributable to the rapid development of the city in this period, while the decrease of (k _a) after 1979 probably reflects the efficiency of some restrictions which were imposed on the pollutant emissions during this period. In addition, an analysis of the percentage frequency distribution found that while 95% of the values of (k _a) ranged from 0.100 to 0.400 in the beginning of the period (1964–1967), in recent years (1984–1987) the same percentage of the values of (k _a) ranged from 0.100 to 0.500.With 3 Figures     

1955—2006冬半年中国极端低温的时空变化特征

采用1955—2006年全国275个台站冬半年逐日最低气温资料,对中国冬半年极端低温的时空特征和变化趋势进行了分析。结果表明：在全国范围内冬半年极端低温频数变化一致,均呈减小趋势,1983年前后发生了明显的突变;近52 a来最显著的减小趋势位于华北、长江中下游及江南地区,最不显著的减小趋势位于河套地区,较弱的减小趋势位于四川盆地和云贵高原地区;中国冬半年年极端低温事件频数的空间差异明显,各区域极端低温频数突变的年份均不一致,各区域突变前后的极端低温频数存在较大差异,但近年来,各区域冬半年极端低温频数变化均趋于稳定。     

Variation of the total ozone column during tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea

The variation of the total ozone column (TOC) before, during, and after tropical cyclones occurring in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea for the period 1997–2009 is presented. From the analysis, it is concluded that TOC decreases steadily before and during the formation of a cyclone, followed by a more or less increasing trend after dissipation of the cyclone. It is also observed that, when the cyclone reaches its peak intensity indicated by its maximum wind speed, there is a sudden fall in TOC over those regions where the cyclone has intensified. The observed variation of TOC is consistent with existing chemical and dynamical theories.     

Anisotropic model for the diffuse biologically-effective irradiance of solar UV-radiation on inclined surfaces

Summary A model for biologically-effective ultraviolet radiation (UVR) of the sun is described, which allows the calculation of diffuse irradiance on inclined surfaces. A model is presented, for which isotropic scattered and reflected radiance are assumed. Using the horizon as a borderline between the upper and lower hemisphere, the scattering phenomena in the atmosphere for UVR are discussed. In contrast to models for other solar spectral ranges, the radiation field of UVR is close to isotropic. Only the horizon darkening by the long optical pathlengths was included in the model. This term was quantified by the UV albedo.Dedicated to O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. F. Steinhauser.With 1 Figure     

Estimation of monthly sums of total solar radiation at snow-free surface from cloud observations

An empirical formula is proposed for calculating monthly sums of total solar radiation at the snow-free surface from cloud observations and empirical parameters characterizing the optical properties of different cloud layers.     

An ozone depletion event in the sub-arctic surface layer over Hudson Bay,Canada

During the Tropospheric Ozone Production about the Spring Equinox (TOPSE) program, aircraft flights during April 7–11, 2000 revealed a large area air mass capped below ∼500 m altitude over Hudson Bay, Canada in which ozone was reduced from normal levels of 30–40 ppbv to as low as 0.5 ppbv. From some of the in-situ aircraft measurements, back-trajectory calculations, the tropospheric column of BrO derived from GOME satellite measurements, and results from a regional model, we conclude that the event did not originate from triggering of reactive halogen release in the sub-Arctic region of Hudson Bay but resulted from such an event occurring at higher latitudes over the islands of the northern Canada Archipelago and nearby Arctic Ocean with subsequent transport over a distance of 1,000–1,500 km to Hudson Bay. BrO _x remained active during this transport despite considerable changes in the conditions of the underlying surface suggesting that chemical recycling during transport dominated any local halogen input from the surface. If all of the tropospheric column density of BrO is distributed uniformly within the surface layer, then the mixing ratio of BrO derived from the satellite measurements is at least a factor of 2–3 larger than derived indirectly from in situ aircraft measurements of the NO/NO₂ ratio.     

The nature of the short period fluctuations in solar irradiance received by the earth

An analysis of the periodicities found in the Nimbus-7 satellite measurements of solar irradiance (Solar Constant) indicates variations on three scales. Two of these variations are shown to be related to variations in solar activity as given by various indicators of solar photosphere disturbances. The high frequency periodicity is due to the solar rotation period. The second periodicity is based on the integral effect of the high frequency oscillation over an 11 year solar cycle. The third variation (secular trend) is discussed in regard to the high precision cavity data and the recent record of high altitude solar constant measurements.