TCOM-CH4: Daily Zonal Stratospheric Methane Profiles from 1991 to 2021

Stratospheric methane profiles across five global latitude bins from 1991 to 2021. The dataset was constructed by applying XGBoost machine-learning models to correct biases between TOMCAT chemical transport model simulations and satellite occultation measurements. Sandip Dhomse from the University of Leeds created this dataset, which includes daily zonal mean values interpolated onto both height and pressure levels.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term methane trends in the stratosphere based on the 1991-2021 time period
• Validating and bias-correcting atmospheric model outputs based on the machine-learning methodology described
• Studying latitudinal variations in methane concentrations based on the five defined latitude bins
• Investigating the impact of major events like the Mount Pinatubo eruption on methane levels based on the description of unusual 1991-1994 variations

Strengths

• Covers a 31-year time period from 1991 to 2021, providing a long-term climate record
• Provides data on two vertical coordinate systems: 46 height levels and 28 pressure levels
• Uses a machine-learning bias correction method (XGBoost) to combine model and measurement data

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• The description notes uncertainty about the cause of unusual methane variations during 1991-1994

Provenance

Source

University of Leeds

Collection Method

Bias correction of TOMCAT chemical transport model simulations using satellite occultation measurements via XGBoost machine-learning models.

Time Range

1991 to 2021

Geography

Global, divided into five zonal latitude bins: SH polar, SH mid-lat, tropics, NH mid-lat, NH polar.