Visualizing NetCDF Output Files In WRF Portal, Step 1

You can visualize NetCDF output files using WRF Portal by clicking on the Run Monitor "View Files/Logs/.nc" button (bottom of screen), and then using the File Browser to navigate to one of the output directories ("/wps-output" in this example). When you highlight a .nc file, notice that the "View NetCDF" button becomes active. Click on this button to visualize the file (e.g. met_em.d01.2005_07_11_00:00:00.nc)..

Visualizing NetCDF Output Files In WRF Portal, Step 2

WRF Portal then pops up a download window for a few seconds and then displays the Datasets Browser. You can select any dataset variable (field) in the file. In this example, I double click on "GREENFRAC" (green-ous fraction). Note: WRF Portal uses the excellent software package, Panoply, to display/visualize NetCDF files.

Visualizing NetCDF Output Files In WRF Portal, Step 3

My domain (Eastern United States) is displayed on the world map (I've reduced the size of this image 50% to save space).

Visualizing NetCDF Output Files In WRF Portal, Step 4

There are many settings and customizations that can be done in Panoply. Here, I go to the "Map" tab to center my map over the United States in enlarge it.

Visualizing NetCDF Output Files In WRF Portal, Step 5

I also choose the "greenscale" color table on the "Scale" tab. Below is my new map image. Note: you must close the map and datasets windows before you can view another NetCDF file.