ARM provides such critical data in the area of clouds and radiation processes. ARM is broadening its suite of instrumentation to accommodate requirements of other elements of the ecological and environmental communities, e.g., radiometers with photosynthetic spectrum, UVB instruments, etc. Annual ARM Science Team Meeting. ARM research is directly relevant to improving the credibility of climate prediction and assessment. Clouds and radiation represent very critical uncertainties in climate prediction.
Clouds provide either positive or negative radiative forcing, depending on the circumstances.
Effective treatment of clouds and radiation is crucial to understanding how the earth's energy balance may change under various global warming scenarios. The actual behavior of clouds may change, further disturbing or improving the energy balance and underscoring the need for credible prediction of these effects. ARM is resulting in improved parameterizations, reducing the current large uncertainties in predictive model results. Improved GCM results are applicable to scientific and technical assessment, to adaptation and mitigation, and will clarify the need for future research investment.