[CF-metadata] vector quantities (e.g. velocities) in CF-NetCDF

[Jon Blower]

Dear all,

As you know, vector quanties such as velocities are often represented
in CF-NetCDF as two separate component fields (e.g.
"northward_sea_water_velocity" and "eastward_sea_water_velocity").  Is
there a standard way in CF to represent vector quantities?  E.g. in
the above case could the two component fields be combined to give a
single two-component variable called "horizontal_sea_water_velocity"
or whatever the best standard name is?  Is there any way to
unambiguously represent the fact that two or more fields in a NetCDF
file represent the components of a vector quantity (other than by
interpreting the standard name)?

(Also, there's the case where the two components represent speed and direction.)

Regards,
Jon

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Dr Jon Blower              Tel: +44 118 378 5213 (direct line)
Technical Director         Tel: +44 118 378 8741 (ESSC)
Reading e-Science Centre   Fax: +44 118 378 6413
ESSC                       Email: jdb at mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk
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