Editing Cloud albedo (section)

{{short description|Fraction of incoming sunlight reflected by clouds}}
[[File:NASA graphic representing the distribution of solar radiation.jpg|thumb|NASA graphic representing the distribution of solar radiation]]
'''Cloud albedo''' is a measure of the [[albedo]] or [[Reflectance|reflectivity]] of a [[cloud]]. Clouds regulate the amount of solar radiation absorbed by a planet and its [[Solar irradiance|solar surface irradiance]]. Generally, increased cloud cover correlates to a higher [[albedo]] and a lower absorption of [[solar energy]]. Cloud albedo strongly influences the [[Earth's energy budget]], accounting for approximately half of Earth's albedo.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last1=Mueller|first1=Richard|last2=Trentmann|first2=Jörg|last3=Träger-Chatterjee|first3=Christine|last4=Posselt|first4=Rebekka|last5=Stöckli|first5=Reto|date=2011|title=The Role of the Effective Cloud Albedo for Climate Monitoring and Analysis|journal=Remote Sensing|volume=3|issue=11|pages=2305–2320|doi=10.3390/rs3112305|bibcode=2011RemS....3.2305M |issn=2072-4292|doi-access=free }}</ref> Cloud albedo is influenced by the conditions of cloud formation and variations in cloud albedo depend on the total mass of water, the size and shape of the droplets or particles and their distribution in space.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|last=Hartmann|first=Dennis|title=Global Physical Climatology|date=2016|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-0-12-328531-7|location=Australia|pages=76–78}}</ref> Thick clouds reflect a large amount of incoming solar radiation, translating to a high albedo. Thin clouds tend to transmit more solar radiation and, therefore, have a low albedo. Changes in cloud albedo caused by variations in cloud properties have a significant effect on [[Climate|global climate]], having the ability to spiral into feedback loops.<ref name=":02" />