Development of radiation and cloud parameterization programs for AFGL (Air Force Geophysics Laboratory) global models

A computationally economic and accurate radiation program has been devised for incorporation in the global models developed at the A.F. Geophysics Laboratory. The program was specifically developed for applications to atmospheres containing high, middle, and low clouds and combinations of these clouds. In addition, we have also developed cloud formation schemes for general circulation models in connection with the radiation program. The present radiation and cloud parameterization program has been successfully incorporated in the AFGL 12-layer global model. Simulations have been performed for cloud and radiation budget distributions using the initial humidity and temperature fields from 12Z, 17 June 1979. Zonally averaged global distributions of cloud cover and radiation budgets at the top of the atmosphere are in general agreement with available cloud and radiation budget climatologies. We also discuss the importance of clouds in the generation of global atmospheric cooling using the results from the AFGL 12-layer model.