What is NetCDF?
NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) is a binary format for array-oriented scientific data. The full specification of the format, as used in Metview, can be found on the NetCDF overview page.
The official homepage of NetCDF is hosted by UCAR: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/.
The NetCDF icon
NetCDF files are represented by this icon in the user interface:
Examining NetCDF contents
The contents of a NetCDF file can be inspected with the NetCdf Examiner, which can be started up from the user interface (right-click examine on the icon).
Visualisation
Direct visualisation of NetCDF is not available in Metview but it is implemented via the NetCDF Visualiser icon. With this icon we can specify the view type, the variable and the dimensions (with slicing) to generate the actual plot. Visualisation is supported both on maps and xy-charts for scalar and vector data, as well.
NetCDF as storage format for analysis views
Metview uses NetCDF as an internal format to store the data prepared for the so-called analysis views (various sections and profiles). The data preparation icons of these views (including Cross Section Data, Average Data, Hovmoeller Data, Thermo Data and Vertical Profile Data) all store their results in NetCDF.
Script language support
Metview provides support for NetCDF from its Macro and Python interfaces. This includes:
- accessing dimensions, variables and attributes
- performing arithmetic on variables' values
The list of available functions for NetCDF can be found on the NetCDF Functions page.