Harmonic analysis of the albedo and longwave outgoing radiation field in the system earth-atmosphere

Abstract

The data on the monthly mean values of the albedo and the outgoing longwave radiation from the system Earth-atmosphere were subjected to a two-dimensional harmonic analysis. The coordinates were geographical latitude and time. Harmonic coefficients were found for 71 latitudinal zones with a width of 2.so. The three-year NOAA satellite data (July 1974-June 1977) served as primary data. The results of calculations were analysed while grouping harmonics as follows: two groups representing independent time and space variability; the third one took into consideration the temporal-spatial interdependent variability. The weight of different harmonics and groups were estimated in terms of yearly-zonal values of the variance and yearly differences in amplitudes and phases of harmonics.