addfile("http://iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu/SOURCES/.NOAA/.NCDC/.DAILY/.FSOD/THIC/1+index/.SMMM/2+index/.HTDG/3+index/.FRGB/4+index/.THIC/5+index/.TSUN/%255BWBAN+%255Ddetrend-bfl/6+index/.lon/6+index/8+index/.GAHT/9+index/.TMAX/8+index/11+index/.SMMM/WBAN+partial/dods","r")If you have questions, comments, or problems please use the help@iri link. This page will evolve as we learn more about how NCL handles data downloads, and your help pointing out problems is much appreciated.
*DODS (a.k.a. OpenDAP) is not necessarily installed in NCL and if OpenDAP is not installed, giving NCL a URL instead of a local
file name will result in a file-not-found error.
In that case, you can use addfile after you download the netcdf file.