The IPSL and CNRM cimate models that participated in CMIP5 both used the NEMO model (ORCA2 and ORCA1 configurations) with tripolar grids. Both provided output the was CF compliant.

James

On Thu, 30 Mar 2017, Karl Taylor wrote:

Hi Sebastien,

More than one group stored output on a tripolar grid in CMIP5. I'm pretty sure they did it in a CF-conforming way. I know at least some of the GFDL model output was reported on a tripolar grid, as described at http://nomads.gfdl.noaa.gov/CM2.X/oceangrid.html (or search on "tripolar grid" for additional links). You could look to their example, and see if you think it is done correctly.

I don't think extensions or modifications to CF are needed for tripolar grids.

best regards,
Karl

On 3/30/17 9:42 AM, Jim Biard wrote:

Sébastien,

If I'm not mistaken, we would need to propose a new grid_mapping to be added to the Conventions that would define a Tripolar Coordinate Reference System, along with any attributes that don't currently exist that are needed to complete the definition. I did a search for a standard tripolar CRS in proj4 or epsg, and was unable to find one. Is it possible to make such a definition?

Regarding the standard names for your X and Y coordinate variables, I think you could use "projection_x/y_coordinate" once a grid_mapping has been defined. Of course you could always leave the attribute off, since a standard_name attribute is not a requirement.

If making a new grid_mapping is not feasible, you could request standard names along the lines of mesh_grid_i_index and mesh_grid_j_index. These standard names would (on reading their definitions) make it clear that the measurements are on a mesh grid for which there is no CRS. At least that's what comes to mind at the moment.

Grace and peace,

Jim

On 3/30/17 11:52 AM, Sebastien Villaume wrote:
Hello all,

I am looking for the best approach to describe in a CF compliant way the tripolar grids usually used in NEMO configurations.

Basically, the difference with a usual bipolar grid (north pole-south pole) is that the north pole is split into 2 poles moved over Canada and Russia (to have distortions/singularities not over the ocean). A good visual representation can be found here:

http://www.geomar.de/typo3temp/pics/globe_grid2_14_b8edb639ae.png everything south of the green line (40degN) is identical to a regular grid, but everything north of it is computed using a technique described here:

Madec, G. and M. Imbard, 1996 : A global ocean mesh to overcome the north pole singularity. Clim. Dyn., 12, 381–388.


The usual NEMO output of the grid looks like this:

     float longitude(y, x) ;
         longitude:standard_name = "longitude" ;
         longitude:units = "degrees_east" ;
         longitude:long_name = "longitude" ;
     float latitude(y, x) ;
         latitude:standard_name = "latitude" ;
         latitude:units = "degrees_north" ;
         latitude:long_name = "latitude" ;


Basically both latitudes and longitudes need to be specified for each grid point, hence lat and lon are 2D arrays. This is not a problem itself but I would like to give more information through maybe grid_mapping or crs so it is clear that the grid is tripolar. This is useful information if one want to project/interpolate this back to a more regular representation.

Looking at the CF conventions, I can see that grids can be fairly nicely documented but nothing for tripolar grids.

Is there some documentation/guidelines on how to derive a proper grid_mapping/crs with valid attributes for tripolar grids?

I would also like to add to my netcdf file a way to better describe axes:

     double y(y) ;
         y:units = "1" ;
         y:long_name = "j-index of mesh grid" ;
         y:standard_name = ??? ;
     double x(x) ;
         x:units = "1" ;
         x:long_name = "i-index of mesh grid" ;
         x:standard_name = ??? ;

what would be the standard name of these?

Thanks,

____________________________________

Dr. Sébastien Villaume
Analyst
ECMWF Shinfield Park,
Reading RG2 9AX, UK
+44 7825 521592
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