Outgoing Infrared Radiation
•Stefan-Boltzmann Law: IR = esT4
•As elevation increases:
– temperature decreases, IR radiation decreases
–Optical thickness of atmosphere decreases (less greenhouse gases, including water vapor), atmospheric transparency to outgoing radiation increases, more IR escapes
•Emissivity (e) of snow and ice is high
•
–
•
•
Whiteman (2000)