A Numerical Experimental Study on the Transfer of Solar Radiation Over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Area

The transfer of solar radiation over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau area is investigated based on the radiation model with a two-stream approximation (Hense et al., 1982). The computed downward solar radiations at the surface in cloud-free sky conditions are compared with surface observations from a field experiment over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau area during the period of August 1982–July 1983. The effects of clouds on the transfer of solar radiation are discussed and the ratios of downward solar radiations at the surface in cloudy sky conditions to those in clear sky conditions (K=Q_c/Q_o) over the Plateau area are given as a function of cloud optical depth and solar zenith angle.