SAM 3-D Output Files
sam3dThe SAM model outputs variables in distinct categories, specifically 2-D, 3-D, 3-D microphysics, and statistics. The 3-D output files are in netCDF format and contain most of the 3-D variables with the exception of detailed microphysics output. The 3-D files contain instantaneous output every 15 minutes.
The 3-D varaiables are for the full model grid volume and thus are quite large in aggregate. Thus, each output time is separated into its own netCDF file, which is generated in post-processing from the binary output produced during the model runtime. The sam3d filesize is about 390 MB for the 25.6 km-wide domain, with the actual size varying by almost 100 MB over time depending on the state of the atmosphere. A sample netCDF file header for a sam3d file from a simulation using spectral-bin microphysics is at enalasso_sam3d_20180701era5d25x100_sbmwrm-aer3-flxsstC1.m1.20180701.120000.hdr.txt