An assessment of land energy balance over East Asia from multiple lines of evidence and the roles of the Tibet Plateau, aerosols, and clouds

Abstract. With high emissions of aerosols and the known world's “Third Pole” Tibet Plateau (TP) in East Asia, knowledge on energy budget over this region has been widely concerned. This study first attempts to estimate present-day land balance Asia by combining surface satellite observations as well atmospheric reanalysis Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) simulations. Compared global budget, a substantially larger fraction shortwave radiation 5.2 % is reflected, highly associated with higher aerosol loadings more clouds Asian land. While slightly smaller absorption 0.6 unexpectedly estimated, possibly related lower water vapor content effects due thinner air TP overcompensate for cloud The weaker greenhouse effect fewer low are very likely causes downward longwave radiation. Hence, loadings, clouds, play vital roles budgets, while responsible budgets during regional assessment. further obtained radiative suggest that presence results cooling climate system than globe. provides perspective understand fully potential factors influencing different assessments regions.