Overnight temperatures are warmer when the air is humid because:
A)water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation.
B)water vapor is a good absorber of incoming shortwave radiation,causing more energy to be stored during the day.
C)water vapor and clouds cause the Earth system to have a higher nighttime albedo.
D)water vapor is good at scattering longwave radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation, which is the radiation emitted by the Earth's surface during the night. This absorbed radiation is then re-radiated back to the surface, keeping it warmer than it would be if the water vapor was not present.

Overnight Temperatures Are Warmer When the Air Is Humid Because