Abstract Column‐averaged methane (XCH4) observations spanning 2018–2023 by the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Sentinel‐5 Precursor satellite are assessed for evidence of methane (CH4) emissions from permafrost regions. Bi‐monthly TROPOMI XCH4 anomaly maps and soil temperature (Tsoil) anomaly maps from reanalysis data are generated for circumpolar land north of 50°N. Considering these anomalies with soil carbon content and wind variability leads to a focus on Canada’s Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL), an area of wetlands and carbon‐rich peat underlain by continuous to isolated permafrost. This sub‐Arctic region of varied permafrost extent is vulnerable to thaw and exhibits wind conditions favorable for emission detection from space. HBL XCH4 anomalies strongly correlate with soil temperature anomalies (R = 0.63–0.87), consistent with wetlands as the primary source of CH4 emissions; however, the strong increase in CH4 emissions over 2018–2023 may also suggest a contribution due to permafrost thaw.
Last updated: April 10, 2026 12:42 PM
CO₂
431.7ppm
+2.5
/ year
CH₄
1945.85ppb
+8.44
/ year
Temp
+1.48°C
Peak +1.73°C
Population
8.1B
+67M
/ year