Top-of-atmosphere albedo bias from neglecting three-dimensional radiative transfer through clouds

Clouds cover on average nearly 70% of Earth’s surface and are important for the global albedo. The magnitude of the shortwave reflection by clouds depends on their location, optical properties, and 3D structure. Earth system models are unable to perform 3D radiative transfer calculations and thus partially neglect the effect of cloud morphology on albedo. We show how the resulting radiative flux bias depends on cloud morphology and solar zenith angle. Using large-eddy simulations to produce 3D cloud fields, a Monte Carlo code for 3D radiative transfer, and observations of cloud climatology, we estimate the effect of this flux bias on global climate. The flux bias is largest at small zenith angles and for deeper clouds, while the albedo bias is largest (and negative) for large zenith angles. Globally, the radiative flux bias is estimated to be 1.6 W m⁻² and locally can be on the order of 5 W m⁻².