[CF-metadata] vector quantities (e.g. velocities) in CF-NetCDF

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:21:40 +0100

Dear Jon

There is no way to do this at present in CF, but this is not the first time
the question has been asked. It could be done by introducing new standard
names which did not specify the component, and having a dimension running over
components, with values such as eastward, northward, x and y. I expect other
approaches are possible.

It would be helpful if you could describe a particular use-case.

Best wishes

Jonathan



> As you know, vector quanties such as velocities are often represented
> in CF-NetCDF as two separate component fields (e.g.
> "northward_sea_water_velocity" and "eastward_sea_water_velocity"). Is
> there a standard way in CF to represent vector quantities? E.g. in
> the above case could the two component fields be combined to give a
> single two-component variable called "horizontal_sea_water_velocity"
> or whatever the best standard name is? Is there any way to
> unambiguously represent the fact that two or more fields in a NetCDF
> file represent the components of a vector quantity (other than by
> interpreting the standard name)?
Received on Fri Apr 27 2007 - 10:21:40 BST