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Short-term variability of overcast brightness

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Abstract

Overcasts seen from below seldom are uniform, unchanging cloud shields, yet little is known about their short-term photometric variability (periods ≤2 h). Visible-wavelength spectra of daytime and twilight overcast skies measured at 30-s intervals reveal unexpected temporal variability in horizontal illuminance Ev and zenith luminance Lv. Fourier analysis of these time series shows peak fluctuations at periods of 2–40 min. Factors such as cloud type and optical depth, presence of fog or snow, and instrument field of view can affect overcast brightness variability. Surprisingly, under some circumstances overcast twilight Ev exceeds clear-sky Ev at the same Sun elevation.

© 2005 Optical Society of America

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