ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Greenhouse Effect and Diurnal Cycle
qThe very strong downward emission of terrestrial radiation from the atmosphere is crucial to main
the relatively small diurnal variation of surface temperature.
qIf this large downward radiation is not larger than solar heating of the surface, the surface
temperature would warm rapidly during the day and cool rapidly at the night.
č a large diurnal variation of
surface temperature.
qThe greenhouse effect not only keeps Earth’s surface warm but also limit the amplitude of the
diurnal temperature variation at the surface.