NetCDF Classic Scientific Binary (.nc / .netcdf / .cdf)
.nc.netcdf.cdfUCAR/Unidata NetCDF, climate and meteorological models (WRF, NOAA), oceanography and atmospheric observation systems
What it is
The standard Network Common Data Form (NetCDF3) for array-oriented scientific datasets. Read via a bundled Python/scipy engine. (Note: modern NetCDF4/HDF5 files are handled via the HDF5 importer).
Who produces it
Climate scientists, meteorologists, geoscientists, and oceanographers sharing simulation grids and observational time-series.
What we read / what we don't read
What we read
- All 1D numeric variables as individual spreadsheet columns
- Multi-variable introspection: lists all 1D variables available in the file
- Automatic NaN padding for variables with differing point counts so all columns share a uniform row grid
What we don't read
- Multi-dimensional (>1D) spatial simulation grids (e.g. 3D/4D lat-lon-depth-time cubes)
- Scalar metadata variables without an array dimension
How to import it into AltaiPlot
- Open AltaiPlot and drag your .nc, .netcdf, or .cdf file onto the window, or use File → Import.
- AltaiPlot verifies the NetCDF classic magic header and probes all 1D numeric variables.
- Preview the extracted variables and data points.
- Click Import to load the series into a sheet.
Auditability note: this page's capability claims are sourced fromresources/python/app_sidecar.py:765 — see the full format list for every extension AltaiPlot recognizes.