A new parameterization scheme for shortwave radiative properties of water clouds

Cloud drop size distributions, microphysics and simple equations enable the derivation of a new parameterization scheme for the optical thickness and for the shortwave radiative properties of water clouds in the solar spectrum. Delta-Eddington approximation helps determine the cloud bulk radiative characteristics. A dimensionless parameter connects transmissivity, flux reflectivity and absorptivity. Features of the new parameterization scheme are analyzed and are compared with other schemes.