Parameterizing Surface Fluxes in the Arctic

There is a need for computationally efficient methods to determine surface radiation in the Arctic based on surface parameters such as cloud presence, sun angle, temperature and other easily measured variables. This study uses data from the SHEBA project to verify simple radiation parameterizations and to compare with other locations. Skies during SHEBA were usually either totally clear or totally overcast, with low clouds predominating, especially in the non-winter seasons. This resulted in large changes in radiation every time the cloud coverage changed. There was a large range in the skill of the parametric equations. The most accurate equations had average total errors of 9 Wm(-2), 14 Wm(-2), 22 Wm(-2) and 59 Wm(-2) for downwelling longwave in clear skies, cloudy skies, shortwave clear and cloudy skies respectively. Compared to the Weddell Sea (Antarctic) the average downward longwave radiation was greater for all sky conditions. Shortwave values were comparable to the Weddell Sea, although there was large variability.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Parameterizing Surface Fluxes in the Arctic', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423525776 and ISBN 1423525779.