Anomalies in the Atmospheric Methane Content over Northern Eurasia in the Summer of 2016

Abstract

Using data from the AIRS satellite instrument for the period of 2003–2016, the correlation between the regional anomalies of methane content in the atmosphere and the anomaly of the surface temperature in the northwestern Siberia, in particular, on the Yamal Peninsula in the summer of 2016, is analyzed. Quantitative estimates of the regional anomalies, trends, and sensitivity of variations in the methane content in the atmosphere to variations in the surface temperature at the interdiurnal and interannual scales are obtained. The characteristics of the large-scale atmospheric circulation that contributed to the formation of the anomalous temperature regime over northwestern Siberia and resulted in an increase in methane content in the atmosphere are described.