Sensitivity of downward long-wave radiative fluxes to water vapor continuum absorption

An analysis of modern models of water vapor continuum absorption is presented. The sensitivity of downward long-wave fluxes to water vapor continuum absorption is investigated. The spectral intervals where continuum absorption is the most significant are defined. Recently discovered discrepancies between the model and experimentally measured absorption coefficients in the atmospheric transparency window of 8–12 μm are analyzed. It is shown that these discrepancies do not influence on calculation of long-wave radiative fluxes for the temperature range achievable in the Earth’s atmosphere.