Vol. 7, issue 03, article # 2

Abstract:

A model of continuous stratus clouds with stochastically inhomogeneous upper boundary is constructed based on the algorithm of simulating a Gaussian random field. This model considers such effects as optically thin regions, radiative interaction among individual billows, and mutual shadowing. The mean radiant fluxes are computed within the framework of the method of statistical simulation of cloud and radiation fields. Differences between the mean fluxes of solar radiation in continuous stratus clouds with irregular upper boundary and in plane cloud layer are maximum at small solar zenith angles and may reach a few tens of per cents.