Assessment of atmospheric and surface energy budgets using observation-based data products

Accurate diagnosis of regional atmospheric and surface energy budgets is a critical component for understanding the spatial distribution of the Earths Energy Imbalance (EEI). This contribution reviews frameworks and methods for consistent evaluation of key quantities of those budgets using observationally constrained data sets. It thereby touches upon assumptions made in data products which have implications for these evaluations. We evaluate 2001-2020 average regional total (TE) and dry static energy (DSE) budgets using satellite-based and reanalysis data. Uncertainties of the computed budgets are assessed through inter-product spread and evaluation of physical constraints. Furthermore, we infer fields of net surface energy flux by combining top-of-atmosphere radiative fluxes from satellites with reanalysis-based atmospheric TE budget terms (i.e., divergence and storage of energy). Results indicate biases