Atmospheric Methane Spike to 2745 ppb at 586 mb

On January 2, 2016, 12-24 hrs, the METOP 2-A satellite reported a methane spike of 2745 ppb at 586 mb - approximately 14,385 feet or 4,834 meters. This is the second highest spike I've seen in the OSPO Metop IASI imagery since December, 2012.

Source: http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/soundings/iasi/index.html

While it is tempting to speculate where this spike occurred, in reality the image only narrows a location to an area colored in pink, which are above readings 1950 ppb. It is not anticipated that the spike represents anything more than a momentary concentration. These usually dissipate within in 24 hours. 

The highest methane concentration recorded by the METOP IASI instrument as depicted in the OSPO imagery occurred on April 25, 2015, 0-12 hr at 586 mb and registered 2845 ppb at 586 mb. 
Source: http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/soundings/iasi/index.html

Far more troubling is not the momentary blips in methane readings, but the major jump in global mean methane that has occurred in the last two years.

More on that in an upcoming post.