Improved Estimation of Shortwave Radiation Over Equatorial Indian Ocean Using Geostationary Satellite Data

An algorithm for improved estimation of daily net shortwave radiation (SWR) over the equatorial Indian Ocean is proposed in this study. This makes use of high temporal sampling by geostationary satellites (in our study, Meteosat-7) of outgoing longwave radiation and in situ observations in the equatorial Indian Ocean warm pool region. Results indicate significant improvement over the algorithm developed earlier with polar satellites (referred to as SH98 hereafter). The SWR accuracy with the present algorithm is better than 40 W·m^-2, while that by SH98 is greater than 50 W·m^-2 at this location. The study also makes a comparative assessment of various available SWR products in simulating sea surface temperature (SST) with an Indian Ocean model at the buoy location. The study shows that SST was simulated significantly better with SWR estimated by the present algorithm in comparison to SH98.