5
$\begingroup$

I have a set of very old precipitation anomaly maps, from 1995-2006 for Brazil. The data of these maps, is to the best of my knowlegde, lost.

I would like to have them digitalized, ie, to NetCDF or another similar gridded format. Is there any tools recommendend for this job?

The figure below is a recent plot, similar to my files.

similar plot

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Are you sure the data is lost? Have you checked the standard data sources? $\endgroup$
    – user967
    Oct 4, 2016 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ Just three points to remember when it comes to interpretation: In arid to semi-arid areas the spottiness of the rainfall distribution doesn't average out on any useful time-scale, and certainly not over an 11 year time-series. Secondly, in mountainous areas like the Andes the local physiographic effects totally eclipse the true regional variation. Thirdly, the map you show looks suspiciously as if it has been generated by a 'contour package', which is often totally misleading because it treats the rainfall in a small rain-guage as an areal maximum or minimum - which it isn't!. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 4:47
  • $\begingroup$ @BarryCarter One can always be surer, but I have put some hours in it and could not find data at this resolution going back to 1995. $\endgroup$
    – kurast
    Oct 5, 2016 at 12:48
  • $\begingroup$ Fair enough. I take it climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/… and things like ftp.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/precip/CPC_UNI_PRCP/GAUGE_GLB/V1.0/1985 were unhelpful? $\endgroup$
    – user967
    Oct 5, 2016 at 14:16

1 Answer 1

4
$\begingroup$

You can convert the image to NetCDF data using gdal_translate. The command line looks something like:

gdal_translate -ot Int16 -of netCDF jpeg_filename nc_filename

You can use ncl example: click here

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.