17.1: Introduction
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
Pandas is a great tool for handling one-dimensional data, like a time series from one meteorological station. However, atmospheric sciences often requires analysis of multidimensional data. Consider, for example, that you might want to analyze 4-dimensional model fields (latitude, longitude, pressure, and time), from several ensemble members of different models. This is ia a six-dimensional data structure (latitude, longitude, pressure, time, model, ensemble number). This is where Xarray comes int: it is expert at handling multidimensional data with precision and makes analysis of the data easy and intuitive.
You normally import Xarray with this command:
import xarray as xr