albedo
albedo The proportion of insolation that is reflected back from the Earth, from the tops of the clouds, and from the atmosphere, without heating the receiving surface. It averages about 30%, but varies widely according to the substance and texture of the surface, and the angle and wavelength of the incident radiation. The value for green grass and forest is 8–27% (over 30% for yellowing deciduous forest in autumn); for cities and rock surfaces, 12–18% (over 40% for chalk and light-coloured rock and buildings); for sand up to 40%; for fresh, flat snow up to 90%; and for calm water only 2% in the case of vertically incident radiation but up to 78% where there is a low angle of incidence. The albedo for cloud surfaces averages 55%, but can be up to 80% for thick stratocumulus.
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albedo