Analysis of data on net longwave, shortwave and global radiation during transition period in a tropical station in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The present study examines the distribution of surface radiation balance components measured during the Nigerian Micrometeorological Experiment (NIMEX-1). A field study was conducted to measure surface heat fluxes in the boundary layer during the transition period which marks the end of dry season and the onset of wet season (15 February and 10 March 2004) in Southwestern part of Nigeria. Regression equations were obtained using daily average values and hourly mean values between net shortwave and net longwave radiation, respectively with the global radiation. Higher correlations with low standard error of measurement were obtained for daily mean values than hourly mean values. It was also observed that the peak value of each radiation during the period occurred for two hours in the afternoon on an average as expected.