What is a NetCDF file?

NetCDF, or Network Common Data Form, is a binary file format developed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in 1988.

NetCDF stands for Network Common Data Form and is a binary file format for storing scientific data, commonly used in meteorology, climatology, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. It was developed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in 1988.

A netCDF file is self-describing as it always includes a header with information about the rest of the file, the binary arrays, and the names of the attributes. The format is machine-independent.

NetCDF files are widely used in multiple applications, for example, most of the Numerical Prediction Model Weather Research Forecast (WRF) input and output files are written in this format.

There are several versions of NetCDF files, including a netCDF-4/HDF5 format. HDF stands for Hierarchical Data Format, a standard used by NASA Earth Observing System.