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ECMWF data is usually produced in GRIB format. Older parameters are usually in GRIB1, while more recent parameters and all new parameters are produced in GRIB2.Trajectory forecasts (tropical cyclones) and time series data are produced in BUFR format.

• Product subset I-i-c (Atmospheric Model high resolution 10-day forecast), III-i-c (Atmospheric Model Ensemble 15-day forecast): Model level parameters encoded in WMO FM-92 GRIB edition 2
• Product subsets I-ii, III-iv (Time Series of Weather Parameters) and Products subsets I-iii, III-viii (Tropical Cyclones), encoded in WMO FM-94 BUFR

Data retrieved from MARS can be retrieved in GRIB or NetCDF format. 
Data disseminated via ECPDS cannot be delivered in alternative formats or converted. Grib1GRIB1/grib2 GRIB2 data delivered by ECPDS can be separated into separate feeds in the PREd or upon request if you do not have access to the PREd.

We recommend using ecCodes to manipulate and decode the data. **link to eccodes**

See What is the format of the data?

There is also relevant info here for real-time data: File naming convention and format for real-time data

Is the format information always with the dataset lists in the various catalogues??  Unfortunately not. In fact, it is VERY hard to find this information - something we hope to deal with in the future.

How to convert from GRIB1 to GRIB2? Do we want a line of code example or refer to ecCodes documentation?

How to convert to netcdf? As above You can also use ecCodes to convert GRIB1 to GRIB2 data or to convert GRIB files to NetCDF files.