Radiation and Cloud Processes in the Atmosphere: Theory, Observation and Modeling / Edition 1

by Kuo-Nan Liou

Overview

The field of atmospheric radiation and remote sensing has seen significant advances in recent years. This monograph addresses those advances and fills the need for an up-to-date, cohesive integration of radiative transfer and cloud physics, allowing for the better forcast of weather on medium and long-range levels. The author here offers a systematic discussion of the transfer of solar and thermal infrared radiation in the atmosphere, and of aspects of cloud processes pertinent to radiative transfer. The book focuses largely on the physical principles and approximations that are required to develop important topics in atmospheric radiation, cloud physics, and thermal equilibrium. Aspects of the interactions and feedbacks of radiation-cloud and dynamic and climate processes are discussed using a hierarchy of atmospheric models. Radiometric data obtained from the ground, the air, and space are frequently employed to illustrate physical processes in the atmosphere as well as to cross check theoretical results. The author also cogently discusses the application of the radiative transfer principle to remote sensing of atmospheric and cloud parameters. This book for the first time bridges the gap between cloud-radiation and dynamic processes in the atmosphere. It will be welcomed by meteorologists, earth scientists, and researchers interested in atmospheric modelling and radiation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195049107
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/24/1992
Series:	Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geophysics , #20
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	9.56(w) x 6.38(h) x 1.31(d)

About the Author

University of Utah

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Theory and Parameterization of Thermal Infrared Radiative Transfer
3. Theory and parameterization of Solar Radiation Transfer
4. Theory, Observation, and Modeling of Cloud Processes in the Atmosphere
5. Radiative Transfer in Clouds
6. Atmospheres in Radiative and Thermal Equilibrium
7. The Role of Radiation and Cloud Processes in Atmospheric Models

Editorial Reviews

"Liou discusses thoroughly the intricate interactions involving cloud and radiation processes in the atmosphere. Radiative transfer in clouds is covered here in more depth than it has been in other books. Many references and a good index add to the value of this book." —Choice

"Published at a most welcome time. It provides a comprehensive summary of current scuentific knowledge on atmospheric radiation, devoting special attention to cloud-radiative interactions. . . . written in an easily readable form with theoretical derivations presented in a clear and logical manner. It is recommended both as a useful text book for students of atmospheric radiation and as an important reference for scientists researching such problems." —Pure and Applied Geophysics

"Makes a timely contribution to a subject that is central to current physical climate models. . . . covers a wide range of cloud interactions. . . . an admirably broad compendium of information. . . . a handy reference for researchers in the field." —Physics Today

"There is a great deal of valuable material in this book, presented in an attractive format, and that makes it a welcome contribution to the literature in this important area of research." —Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

"The author is an expert in the field of cloud-radiation interaction. His book presents basic material in a clear and very interesting manner, mentioning very recent publications. . . . the book is destined to become a classic reference in the subject." —Times Higher Education Supplement

"This book discusses the significant advances in the field of atmospheric radiation and remote sensing in the past 20 years."—Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

From the Publisher