NetCDF-4 is the baseline format for the FCI, LI and IRS instrument dataset generation. NetCDF-4 offers a number of advantageous features, including:
- Ability to cope with large dataset sizes — ~7 Gbytes for Full Disc archived dataset for MTG compared to the current ~220 Mbytes.
- Datasets are self describing.
- Groups allow potential for easier subsetting.
BUFR, GRIB and other formats will be used where there is already a product delivered in that particular format. See the Formats user guide for more details.
When available further information will be added to the Meteosat Third Generation resources section in the EUMETSAT User Portal.