We have analyzed 21 years (1984-2004) of ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) outgoing solar (albedo) and outgoing longwave infrared (IR) radiation (or OLR) on various distance (local to global) and time scales (1 day to decadal). We have observationally investigated how net radiation flux to space (solar + IR) changes with variations in precipitation as determined from NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data on similar space and time scales. The relationship between net radiation to space and rainfall show much variability but, in general, there is more net radiation flux to space during periods of higher rather than lower rainfall..

We find that with increased rainfall upper tropospheric water vapor is reduced while albedo undergoes small increases. This is opposite to what the GCMs have indicated. The GCMs appear to have greatly overestimated the global warming that will occur from a doubling of CO₂.