Surface Response to Cloud Shadowing

Abstract

This study investigated the response of surface temperature to cloud shadows. A quantitative model applicable to IR backgrounds was developed. Time- dependent heat flow and energy budget equations have been solved to determine the diurnal variation in surface ground temperatures for a dry, sandy soil with a simple vegetation layer under various cloud conditions. Ground temperatures were determined to vary up to 2K in the first minute following cloud shadowing of solar illumination; stable soil temperatures were not reached after over an hour of shade. These results indicate the importance of including cloud shadow ing in the SWOE background model.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 20, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242084

Entities

People

  • A. Berk
  • D. C. Robertson
  • P. K. Acharya

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Climate Change
  • Cloud Cover
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Free Energy
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transmission
  • Low Altitude
  • Radiation
  • Stratus Clouds
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Temperature
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.