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Conclusion
One major point that can be concluded from this survey of patterns
of outgoing longwave radiation is that clouds play a very significant role
in the variability of our weather and climate. Unfortunately clouds are
very difficult to describe mathematically in weather and climate models.
For this reason, progress in both weather prediction and simulation of future climates
is limited by our ability to characterize the occurrence and effects of
clouds. I can't help but be reminded of this in one of my favorite popular
songs from several years ago by Judy Collins (Figure 9) entitled "Both Sides Now",
which has a line that goes 'I've looked at clouds from both sides now, from
up and down and still somehow it's clouds illusions I recall, I really
don't know clouds at all.
