Export multiple rasters as a single netcdf

[CGoetsch]

We are working with oceanographic data and calculating sst fronts at a daily temporal resolution. We need to export multiple (thousands) of individual frontal rasters as netcdf files for subsequent analysis in R. We are trying to avoid having thousands of netcdf files of a single raster layer each. Is it possible to export these rasters into a single netcdf files with a time dimension and how would that be accomplished? 

Thanks in advance for your help! Also, we are working in ArcMap desktop version 10.8.1.

[JayantaPoddar · Accepted solution]

You could create a Raster Dataset or Raster Catalog using your rasters. And then using Raster to NetCDF (multidimension) tool to create the NetCDF file.

Note: You may want to test the below steps on a few raster files.

e.g. Let's assume you have all the individual raster files in a single workspace.

1. Use Create Raster Catalog to create an empty raster catalog.

2. Use Workspace to Raster Catalog to load all the rasters files in the existing Raster Catalog.

3. Use Raster to NetCDF (Multidimension) to create the NetCDF from the Raster Catalog data.

Let me know if this works for you.

[CGoetsch]

Thanks so much! This is exactly what we needed. 

[Johnthegiraffe]

Dear Jayanta,

I dont get an option to build a raster catalog. Only an raster dataset or mosaic dataset. Also I cannot easily find only how to build a raster catalog. Could you provide instructions how to build such a catalog. Furthermore, I only see the function 'Workspace to Raster dataset'. When I try to export .crf or mosaic dataset with Raster to netcdf I only get 1 day. also '(multidimensional) is missing in the function name.

[xianfei]

I use ArcGIS Pro, and there is not raster catalog……How to solve this problem ?

[JayantaPoddar]

@xianfei / @Johnthegiraffe ,

Could you guys try working with a Mosaic Dataset?

Create a mosaic dataset—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

Add Rasters To Mosaic Dataset (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

If required , you could export the Mosaic Dataset to a Raster dataset using Copy Raster (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation.

Then, Raster to NetCDF (Multidimension)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation.

[MarkGilbert]

Would the R-ArcGIS Bridge allow you to accomplish this without having to "export" anything?

https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/r-arcgis-bridge/overview