Abstract
Ground-based measurements of incoming solar irradiance and cloud observations during a 26 year period (1965-1990) at Bergen, Norway were used in conjunction with a comprehensive radiation model to infer the cloud optical depth τ under completely overcast conditions. Month-to-month and year-to-year (April through October) statistics of the cloud optical depth and observed cloud forms are presented. Some climate-related features, specifically, diurnal and seasonal variabilities in τ are examined. The effects of local cloudiness are pointed out and discussed. There appears to be a slight trend towards increasing cloud optical depth at noon during the warm period of the year. The possible uncertainties due to unknown size of cloud droplets are analyzed by model simulations. Possible directions for future research are suggested provided more meteorological and/or satellite information is available.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 73-82 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Theoretical and Applied Climatology |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1994 |