How to read netCDF file in Python

NetCDF (nc) file format is a widely used data format in Geo, Earth, and planetary science field. To import nc data to python workspace, we will need to install a necdf4 package in python. Depending on your python software tool search online on how to install package for that specific python tool. If you are using anaconda3 like I just follow the instructing below:

open Anaconda > Go to Environment > click in search package and write netcdf4 > click check button to install netcdf4 package.

After installing the package open the python terminal (I use spyder/ipython terminal) and follow the script:

from netCDF4 import Dataset as nc #this line imports the package we just installed

file=nc('/Users/afahad/Desktop/slp.mon.mean.nc') # this line defines the file path of the file we are trying to read

#read variable

slp=file.variables['slp'][:] # “:” takes all the data dimension from the file

lon=file.variables['lon'][:]
lat=file.variables['lat'][:]
time=file.variables['time'][:]

To make sure if your data dimensions are right you can type the following commands and check if they match:

slp.shape
lon.shape
lat.shape
time.shape

Install anaconda: https://www.anaconda.com/

Alternatively, you can use rnc function from aoespy toolbox to read as in one line as:

slp=rnc('slp','/Users/afahad/Desktop/slp.mon.mean.nc')

AOESPY toolbox link: Click here