.. _Section_FileType_sam3dmicro:


SAM Microphysics 3-D Output Files
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| **DOI:** https://doi.org/10.5439/2572648
| **File type abbreviation:** ``sam3dmicro``

The SAM model outputs variables in distinct categories, specifically 2-D, 3-D, 3-D microphysics, and statistics. The 3-D microphysics output files are in netCDF format and contain most of the 3-D variables from the microphysics parameterization. The 3-D files contain instantaneous output every 15 minutes.

The 3-D varaiables are for the full model grid volume and thus are quite large in aggregate. Thus, each output time is separated into its own netCDF file, which is generated in post-processing from the binary output produced during the model runtime. The ``sam3dmicro`` filesize varies quite a bit based on how much cloud is in the domain, and it can exceed 425 MB for the 25.6 km-wide domain. A sample netCDF file header for a ``sam3dmicro`` file from a simulation using spectral-bin microphysics is at :download:`enalasso_sam3dmicro_20180701era5d25x100_sbmwrm-aer3-flxsstC1.m1.20180701.120000.hdr.txt`