Modeling outgoing long-wave radiation based on the atmospheric moisture parameters and correlated to the air temperature in Ethiopia.

More than 85% of the Ethiopian population's livelihood depends on rain-fed agriculture. Therefore, accurate climate estimation is quite useful to improve food security. However, the poor spatial resolution of satellite open access Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) data and the complicated relationship with the temperature and precipitation over variable topography features, the climate estimation is below the satisfactory level. Hence, to address this problem, this paper aimed to model OLR based on moisture parameters related to the air temperature in Ethiopia. European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) and satellite data from 1981 to 2020 has been used to develop a new OLR model. The atmospheric moisture budget equation was applied for the new OLR mode development. The results indicated that the seasonal variation moisture coefficient (α) for winter, spring, summer, and autumn is found 0.99, − 0.29, 0.91, and 0.98 m3w−1 which is satisfied the model requirement. During winter, spring, summer, and autumn, the average value of OLR are found 269.60, 246.10, 247.90, and 255.60 Wm−2 from satellite direct observation respectively; while from the developed model is found at 268.79, 244.01, 248.97 and 254.93 Wm−2 respectively. Based on error matrices the developed mode is well agreed with satellite direct observation at a specific point and it is helpful to estimate OLR in the required spatial resolution. Generally the increment of the local moisture which is decreased OLR and increases the air temperature. Hence, stakeholders must pay high attention to the new OLR model adaptations for flood prevention and drought monitoring in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]