ESRL GMD Baseline Observatories:
Surface downwelling solar radiation measurements at the four original GMD baseline observatories began when each of the observatories was founded. Subsequently, additional measurement of thermal longwave, upwelling irradiances, and aerosol optical depth were added at these sites. The Trinidad Head site was established later. The intent of these measurements was to maintain long-term records of surface radiation budget components at globally remote sites and to support the other GMD research programs being conducted at these sites. Two of these sites (Barrow and South Pole) also contribute to the BSRN program as described below and all are part of the GAW project as described below also.
GMD BSRN only sites
The G-Rad group maintains three additional sites
that are contributers to the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The BSRN sites, including Barrow and South Pole
were selected for the site's spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets. Alert, Eureka and Tiksi are part of the SEARCH program.
Bermuda and Kwajalein are
funded by NASA HQ Radiation Sciences.
Baseline Surface Radiation Network
GMD SURFRAD Sites:
The G-Rad group maintains seven radiation budget
stations in the continental U.S. comprising the Surface Radiation (SURFRAD) Network.
SURFRAD is a component of the World Climate Research Programs (WCRP) Baseline
Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). The SURFRAD sites
were selected for their spatial representativeness and suitability
for the applications in climate research involving global climate models
and/or satellite-derived related data sets.
Surface Radiation Network (SURFRAD)
GAW Sites
The Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) program of
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has chosen all of the GMD baseline
sites as participants. In addition, the G-Rad group assisted in the establishment
of downwelling solar irradiance measurement programs at five of the GAW
Global Baseline Observatory sites sponsored by Global Environment Fund of
the World Bank. The G-Rad program continues to provide assistance to these
sites, with the data being processed by the sites and submitted to the
World Radiation Data Center (WRDC).
Global Atmosphere Watch
NEUBrew Sites:
The NOAA/EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer Network consists of six stations located in the
western, central and eastern United States. Brewer instruments provide daily Ultra-Violet
(UV) Radiation and Total-Column Ozone measurements. Many Brewers are co-located at NOAA
SURFRAD stations equipped with Total Surface Radiation Budget instrumentation, and Total Sky Imagers.
NOAA-EPA Brewer Spectrophotometer UV and Ozone Network
Antarctic UV Sites:
The Antarctic UV network provides data to researchers studying the effects of ozone depletion on
terrestrial and marine biological systems, ozone hole monitoring, validation of
satellite observations, and verification of atmospheric radiation transfer models.
NOAA Antarctic UV Monitoring Network
ISIS Sites:
NOAA Integrated Surface Irradiance Study (ISIS) monitoring surface radiation in the continental United States, in collaboration
with NOAA's SURFRAD Network.
The ISIS stations Oak Ridge (ORT) and Tallahassee (TLH) closed on June 8, 2007 and Oct 30, 2002, respectively.
Integrated Surface Irradiance Study network