Development and Evaluation of a Stochastic Cloud-radiation Parameterization

Previous studies have shown that a stochastic cloud-radiation model accurately represents the domain-averaged shortwave fluxes when compared to observations. Using continuously sampled cloud property observations from the three Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's Clouds and Radiation Testbed (CART) sites, we run a multiple-layer stochastic model and compare the results to that of the single-layer version of the model used in previous studies. In addition, we compare both to plane parallel model output and independent observations. We will use these results to develop a shortwave cloud-radiation parameterization that will incorporate the influence of the stochastic approach on the calculated radiative fluxes. Initial results using this resulting parameterization in a single-column model will be shown.