Thermal Equilibrium of the Atmosphere with a Given Distribution of Relative Humidity

Thermal Equilibrium of the Atmosphere with a Given Distribution of Relative Humidity

MAY 1967 | SYUKURO MANABE AND RICHARD T. WETHERALD
This study by Syukuro Manabe and Richard T. Wetherald investigates the radiative convective equilibrium of the atmosphere with a given distribution of relative humidity. The results show that it takes almost twice as long to reach radiative convective equilibrium for the atmosphere with a given distribution of relative humidity compared to one with a given distribution of absolute humidity. The surface equilibrium temperature of the former is also nearly twice as sensitive to changes in factors such as the solar constant, CO₂ content, O₃ content, and cloudiness, due to the adjustment of water vapor content to atmospheric temperature variations. The study estimates that doubling the CO₂ content in the atmosphere raises the temperature by about 2°C, contrary to the extreme sensitivity reported by Möller. The research highlights the importance of convective adjustment in maintaining atmospheric temperature and suggests that the radiation-condensation relaxation is a significant factor in determining seasonal temperature variations. The study also examines the effects of various atmospheric absorbers, such as water vapor, CO₂, O₃, and cloudiness, on equilibrium temperature, providing insights into the potential impacts of climatic changes.This study by Syukuro Manabe and Richard T. Wetherald investigates the radiative convective equilibrium of the atmosphere with a given distribution of relative humidity. The results show that it takes almost twice as long to reach radiative convective equilibrium for the atmosphere with a given distribution of relative humidity compared to one with a given distribution of absolute humidity. The surface equilibrium temperature of the former is also nearly twice as sensitive to changes in factors such as the solar constant, CO₂ content, O₃ content, and cloudiness, due to the adjustment of water vapor content to atmospheric temperature variations. The study estimates that doubling the CO₂ content in the atmosphere raises the temperature by about 2°C, contrary to the extreme sensitivity reported by Möller. The research highlights the importance of convective adjustment in maintaining atmospheric temperature and suggests that the radiation-condensation relaxation is a significant factor in determining seasonal temperature variations. The study also examines the effects of various atmospheric absorbers, such as water vapor, CO₂, O₃, and cloudiness, on equilibrium temperature, providing insights into the potential impacts of climatic changes.
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[slides and audio] Thermal Equilibrium of the Atmosphere with a Given Distribution of Relative Humidity