The Data Centre plans to offer the Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) formats as a common delivery format for all datasets popular in ordering from the archive. The NetCDF format was chosen because it is platform- and machine-independent, and it supports the creation, access, and sharing of array-oriented scientific data. There are many free tools which work with the format, hence both novice and experienced users of the format can immediately work with the data.

NetCDF is maintained by Unidata. For more information on its technical aspects, for example the connection between NetCDF and HDF, please refer to Unidata NetCDF FAQ.

ASCAT L2 NetCDF soil moisture variable plot. Click to enlarge

Features of the implemented NetCDF datasets

• WMO File Naming Conventions are used to name the NetCDF datasets.
• The developed NetCDF datasets use NetCDF version 4 in the Classic Data Model.
• Climate and Forecast Conventions (CF) have been applied where applicable. Non CF standard names and units are also defined in the NetCDF formatted products. Where useful, some of these will be proposed to the CF governance committee for inclusion into the CF convention for the benefit of other NetCDF developers and the user community.

Implementation Plan

From December 2012 all EPS level 1 and level 2 products apart from the GOME and the GRAS instruments will be available for ordering from the Data Centre Order Application. See the following for the Example product formats.

In 2013 the following NetCDF format implementations are planned:

• GOME l1 product (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment products)
• GRAS l1 product (Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding products)
• HRI Level 1.5 Image Data - MFG (Meteosat Visible and InfraRed Imager (MVIRI))
• High Rate SEVIRI Level 1.5 Image Data - MSG (Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI))
• Rapid Scan High Rate SEVIRI Level 1.5 Image Data - MSG
• Selected other Meteosat First Generation and Second Generation products

Validation of the NetCDF datasets – How you can help!

The semantics of the contents in the NetCDF datasets has been validated by instrument experts and users from:

• EUMETSAT
• NOAA
• KNMI
• University of Vienna
• Florida State University

Completeness and usability of the NetCDF datasets — e.g. capability of being rendered visible — were validated using the following tools:

Unidata Tools UI

Unidata Integrated Data Viewer (IDV)

IDL

NOAA’s ncBrowse

Users of the NetCDF formats are kindly requested to provide feedback to the EUMETSAT User Service Helpdesk on format related issues.