Algorithm development strategies for retrieving the downwelling longwave flux at the Earth's surface

Algorithm development strategies for retrieving the surface downwelling lon gwave flux (SDLW) have been formulated on the basis of detailed studies wit h radiative transfer models and observational data. The model sensitivity s tudies were conducted with the column radiation model from the National Cen ter for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model Version 3 and the Mode rate-Resolution Transmittance radiation model. The studies show the clear-s ky SDLW can be largely determined from only two parameters: the surface upw elling longwave flux and the column precipitable water vapor. Cloudy-sky se nsitivity tests show that, as would be expected, cloud base height is an im portant factor in determining the SDLW, especially for low clouds. However, when considering broken clouds as occur in reality, there is no way of log ically defining an average cloud base height. Instead, cloud liquid water p ath is shown to be a preferable parameter for use in an all-sky algorithm, not because it serves as a direct cloud input parameter, but rather that it serves as a useful surrogate for cloud base height. Observational data fro m the Atmospheric Radiation Measurements Program at the U.S. Southern Great Plains (SGP) Oklahoma Central Facility and the Tropical Western Pacific (T WP) Manus Island were used in deriving and validating an illustrative algor ithm. The observations show similar relations as found in the model sensiti vity tests and suggest that a single algorithm could be applicable for both clear and cloudy conditions as well as for diverse geographical locations. For example, when applied to the TWP data, an algorithm based on a regress ion of SGP all-sky data produces a relative bias error in SDLW of only 1.4% under all-sky conditions and -0.2% for clear skies.