The fraction of solar radiation reflected directly by clouds in the atmosphere. This represents a major part of the albedo of the earth. On the average, the earth reflects 31 units of solar radiation back to the space for every 100 units received (thus, the total earth albedo is 0. 31). The cloud albedo accounts for 23 units of the 31. For individual clouds, local albedo may be in excess of 0. 7.