Analyses of the ERBE data have shown that clouds which form over water are very different than clouds which form over land. These differences affect the way clouds reflect sunlight back into space and how much longwave energy from the Earth the clouds absorb and re-emit. For example, ERBE has provided data for investigating the significant decrease in the Earth's emitted radiation due to increased cloudiness over the equatorial Pacific Ocean during El Nino events, which occur when the ocean becomes considerably warmer than normal. The ERBE results are very important to scientists working to improve computer models for climate and weather prediction. Water vapor in the atmosphere also affects our daily weather and climate, though scientists are only beginning to understand how these complex mechanisms work.
Water vapor acts like a greenhouse gas, absorbing outgoing longwave energy.
Because water vapor also condenses to make clouds, an increase in water vapor in the atmosphere also may increase the amount of clouds in the atmosphere. Using the ERBE data, scientists have begun to understand the effects of water vapor and how its variability affects clouds and ultimately, the energy balance of the Earth. During the past 10 years, ERBE data has been invaluable for scientists studying the energy interactions between the Sun, clouds and Earth, and the effects of these interactions on our weather and climate. ERBE satellite measurements have providedments new information on Earth's radiation at the top of the atmosphere including the important radiative effects of clouds on our climate.