Missing Variables (total_precipitation and surface_solar_radiation_downwards) in ERA5 Reanalysis Download

Datasets and Usage C3S - Datasets and Usage
1

Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue while downloading data from the ERA5 reanalysis dataset through the CDS API, specifically with missing variables in the resulting NetCDF file.

Here’s the background:

I’m requesting hourly data for the following variables:

  • 2m_temperature
  • mean_sea_level_pressure
  • total_precipitation
  • 2m_dewpoint_temperature
  • surface_solar_radiation_downwards

Despite specifying all these variables, the downloaded file only includes:

  • 2m_temperature (t2m)
  • mean_sea_level_pressure (msl)
  • 2m_dewpoint_temperature (d2m)

Both total_precipitation and surface_solar_radiation_downwards are missing from the output, even though they were explicitly requested in the variable parameter.

Code Overview
Below is a summary of my code setup:

dataset = "reanalysis-era5-single-levels"

request_params = {
    'product_type': 'reanalysis',
    'variable': [
        '2m_temperature', 
        'mean_sea_level_pressure', 
        'total_precipitation', 
        '2m_dewpoint_temperature', 
        'surface_solar_radiation_downwards'
    ],
    'year': [2024],
    'month': list(range(1, 11)),  # January to October
    'day': [f"{day:02}" for day in range(1, 32)],  # Days 01 to 31
    'time': [f"{hour:02}:00" for hour in range(24)],  # Hourly from 00:00 to 23:00
    'area': [6, -73, -34, -34],  # Bounding box (North, West, South, East)
    'format': 'netcdf',
}

 target = f"{path_out}\download.nc"
    
 client.retrieve(dataset, request_params , target)

After downloading, I inspected the NetCDF file and found the missing variables.
Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

This code and request worked perfectly with a previous version of the CDS API, returning all requested variables without any issues.

Thank you in advance!

2

Hi,
please request instantaneous parameters and accumulated parameters separately.

Thanks

1 Like
3

Is this answer still current? I am making such requests and receiving all parameters, but in two separate netcdf files.

4

Hi,
please have a look here: Forthcoming update to the format of netCDF files produced by the conversion of GRIB data on the CDS

Thanks

1 Like