Mean surface temperature extremes over land areas during 1983 to 1990 are discussed in terms of satellite-measured cloud and radiation parameters. These show that cloud fluctuations induce changes in the temperatures with the decrease of temperature maximum stronger than the increase of temperature minimum because clouds cause changes in incident shortwave surface flux as well as downward long-wave radiation. Sensitivity to top of the atmosphere radiation is complicated by the intervening clouds and atmosphere. A comparison is also made to a sample general circulation model simulation showing the same effects.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union