What controls the total heat transport in CMIP3 models Aaron Donohoe AGU 2010 – 12/12/2010
Dec 21, 2015
What determines the amount of solar radiation reflected at the top of the atmosphere?
Earth’s Surface
Atmosphere
Solar Incident
Reflected by Atmosphere
Reflected by Surface
Conclusions
• The model spread in heat transport is due to gradients in net solar radiation (ASR*)
• Gradients in net solar radiation are due to gradients in Planetary Albedo
• Gradients in Planetary Albedo are due to the simulated cloud distribution
• Cloud’s determine Heat Transport • We explained a dynamic quantity without
invoking dynamics- do dynamics play an active or passive role in determining the radiative fields?