Learn about xarray for multidimensional data analysis

[DaniJonesOcean]

Issue Description:

xarray is a powerful Python library designed to make working with labeled multi-dimensional arrays simple, efficient, and fun. This issue is dedicated to learning xarray, which is particularly well-suited to working with NetCDF data files, a common format for array-oriented scientific data with labels in the form of dimensions, coordinates, and attributes.

Learning Objectives:

• Read through the xarray documentation to understand why xarray is useful for our data analysis needs.
• Install xarray and become familiar with the basic concepts, core data structures like DataArray and Dataset, and how to perform computation and plotting.

Task:

• Begin by reviewing the xarray documentation starting with the Getting Started guide.
• Proceed with the Quick Overview to understand how to create DataArray and Dataset structures, perform indexing, computation, and plotting. Try running this on U-M Great Lakes HPC for practice.
• Familiarize yourself with the xarray API Reference, specifically functions related to NetCDF data handling.

Deliverable:

• Create a simple practice script where you load a NetCDF dataset, examine its contents, perform basic analysis, and generate a plot using xarray. You can upload the image to a comment in this issue thread.
• Outline any specific functions or features of xarray that can benefit our project's data workflows.

Resources:

• xarray official documentation
• Why xarray?
• Quick Overview of xarray
• xarray FAQ

By completing this issue, you'll be equipped with essential skills to handle our project’s datasets more efficiently and be prepared for advanced data analysis and visualization.

[eredding02]

@DaniJonesOcean I played around with xarray using the 1995 GLSEA data, which is in NetCDF format. I have provided plots comparing surface temperature across the lakes in January and June of 1995 and also a plot looking sst at a random point in the lakes across 1995. Lastly, I attempted to plot the average temperature at each lat/lon of the lakes. Let me know if that does not look right.

[DaniJonesOcean]

@eredding02 - Looks great!

[DaniJonesOcean]

@eredding02 Feel free to close when you're ready