Evaluation of surface albedo over the Tibetan Plateau simulated by <scp>CMIP5</scp> models using in‐situ measurements and <scp>MODIS</scp>

Abstract Surface albedo plays a key role in the energy and water cycles, reasonable parameterizations of surface will be greatly helpful to improve simulation radiation partition climate models. In‐situ measurements from five sites over Tibetan Plateau (TP) MODIS product are used evaluate monthly, annual, seasonal variations simulated by 24 Global Climate Models (GCMs) archived Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Potential factors contributing bias were investigated. The results show that monthly GCMs varied across models, difference among models was smaller June–July–August period than December–January–February period. ensemble mean more consistent with in‐situ individual model. calculated BNU‐ESM, GFDL‐CM3, INM‐CM4, MIROC4h, MIROC‐ESM, MIROC‐ESM‐CHEM coincided observations June September, increasing rapidly above 0.4 November. However, annual cycle insignificant when some such as CanESM2, CSIRO‐Mk3.6.0, CMCC‐CMS, IPSL‐CM5A‐MR, MPI‐ESM‐MR. Additionally, overestimated CMIP5 multi‐model mean—with amplitude daily albedo—compared values estimated MCD43A3. In all snow parameterization schemes found variably fit attenuation time. cold temperature, relatively precipitation, fresh density, these led large biases depth ablation. tends increase without influence blowing withered grass on model's albedo.