On 25/04/2018 12:12, Gary Harnagel wrote:
On Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 1:49:59 AM UTC-6, Martin Brown wrote:

However, thin high cirrus cloud barely makes a dent in the insolation
perhaps reflecting 10% of the incoming solar radiation

10% is a BIG effect.

but it is
optically dense in the thermal IR band so it slows down escaping heat
making it warmer at ground level both day and night.

Don't take my word for it:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Clouds/

https://www.earthobservatory.nasa.go...ds/clouds3.php

Read the URL 10% less sunlight getting in but 90% less thermal band IR
is getting out when there is thin high cirrus acting as a barrier to the
outgoing thermal radiation. It is optically dense in thermal IR but
relatively transparent to incoming visible light. Result is warming
during daytime *and* night time compared to a clear sky.

It is the same principle as the thermal radiation barrier in cryogenics.
Placing an isolated mirror midway between the ultracold chamber and the
outside world has the effect of greatly decreasing radiative flux.

Still, if there is less insolation, the result is lower temperature in
the long run. Unless you are thinking of clouds preventing earth's
internal heat from escaping? :-)

You don't understand science.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown