Term: effective_cloud_area_fraction_assuming_fixed_cloud_albedo

Unit: 1

Unit ref: UUUU

AMIP:

GRIB:

"X_area_fraction" means the fraction of horizontal area occupied by X. "X_area" means the horizontal area occupied by X within the grid cell or the satellite footprint. Cloud area fraction is also called "cloud amount" and "cloud cover". The cloud area fraction is for the whole atmosphere column, as seen from the surface or the top of the atmosphere. Cloud area fraction assuming fixed cloud albedo is the cloud area fraction by assuming the clouds in the X_area having the same fixed cloud albedo value (Y). The clouds having cloud_area_fraction_assuming_fixed_cloud_albedo and cloud albedo Y yield the same reflectance at TOA as the real clouds in the X_area. A phrase assuming_condition indicates that the named quantity is the value which would obtain if all aspects of the system were unaltered except for the assumption of the circumstances specified by the condition. The assumed albedo shall be attached to the variable either by an attribute 'assumed_cloud_albedo' (if the value is independent of geolocation) or through the ancillary_variables to a variable with standard_name 'cloud_albedo'.