Validate results with an independent dataset

[bsmoliak]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe:

Results based on a single dataset (e.g. ECMWF ERA5) may not be robust if that dataset has systematic biases.

Describe the solution you'd like:

The robustness of the results based on ECMWF ERA5 could be demonstrated by replicating them using an independent dataset. I suggest the NASA CERES EBAF dataset provided by Langley Research Center. According to NASA, this Energy Balance and Filled dataset is suitable for analysis of variability at the intra-seasonal, inter-annual, and longer time scales. Furthermore, the TOA net flux is constrained to the ocean heat storage.

It has observed top-of-atmosphere and computed surface all-sky and clear-sky fluxes on a 1°x1° grid. Data are available 2003 through June 2021. We could produce a supplementary figure that compares results based on the two datasets with a common time period (e.g. 2003 through 2020).

Describe alternatives you've considered:

Other reanalysis products could be utilized, e.g. NCEP-DOE Reanalysis 2. The reliability of these reanalysis fields is unknown at this time [prior to literature review].

Additional context:

These results should be referenced in the main text, however any figures or tables should be separated into supplementary materials.