diff --git a/src/libcode/vx_data2d_nc_met/get_met_grid.cc b/src/libcode/vx_data2d_nc_met/get_met_grid.cc
index b3be5e816e..aff38ad8ad 100644
--- a/src/libcode/vx_data2d_nc_met/get_met_grid.cc
+++ b/src/libcode/vx_data2d_nc_met/get_met_grid.cc
@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@
 // ** P.O.Box 3000, Boulder, Colorado, 80307-3000, USA
 // *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
 using namespace std;
 
 #include <iostream>
@@ -26,32 +24,28 @@ using namespace netCDF;
 #include "nc_utils.h"
 #include "vx_log.h"
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+static void read_netcdf_grid_v3 (NcFile *, Grid &);
+static void read_netcdf_grid_v2 (NcFile *, Grid &);
 
-static void read_netcdf_grid_v3       (NcFile *, Grid &);
-static void read_netcdf_grid_v2       (NcFile *, Grid &);
-
-static void get_latlon_data_v3        (NcFile *, LatLonData &);
-static void get_rot_latlon_data_v3    (NcFile *, RotatedLatLonData &);
-static void get_lambert_data_v3       (NcFile *, LambertData &);
-static void get_stereographic_data_v3 (NcFile *, StereographicData &);
-static void get_mercator_data_v3      (NcFile *, MercatorData &);
-
-static void get_latlon_data_v2        (NcFile *, LatLonData &);
-static void get_lambert_data_v2       (NcFile *, LambertData &);
-static void get_stereographic_data_v2 (NcFile *, StereographicData &);
-static void get_mercator_data_v2      (NcFile *, MercatorData &);
-
-static void get_gaussian_data         (NcFile *, GaussianData &);
-static void get_semilatlon_data       (NcFile *, SemiLatLonData &);
-static void get_semilatlon_var        (NcFile *, const char *, NumArray &);
+static LatLonData        get_latlon_data           (NcFile *);
+static RotatedLatLonData get_rot_latlon_data       (NcFile *);
+static LambertData       get_lambert_data          (NcFile *);
+static LaeaData          get_laea_data             (NcFile *);
+static StereographicData get_stereographic_data    (NcFile *);
+static MercatorData      get_mercator_data         (NcFile *);
+static GaussianData      get_gaussian_data         (NcFile *);
+static SemiLatLonData    get_semilatlon_data       (NcFile *);
+static void              get_semilatlon_var        (NcFile *, const char *, NumArray &);
 
+static LatLonData        get_latlon_data_v2        (NcFile *);
+static LambertData       get_lambert_data_v2       (NcFile *);
+static StereographicData get_stereographic_data_v2 (NcFile *);
+static MercatorData      get_mercator_data_v2      (NcFile *);
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
 void read_netcdf_grid(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr) {
 
    // Parse the projection information based on the version
@@ -59,9 +53,6 @@ void read_netcdf_grid(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr) {
       read_netcdf_grid_v3(f_in, gr);
    }
    else {
-      mlog << Warning << "\nread_netcdf_grid() -> "
-           << "Applying METv2.0 grid parsing logic since the \"MET_version\" "
-           << "global attribute is not present.\n\n";
       mlog << Warning << "\nread_netcdf_grid() -> "
            << "Applying METv2.0 grid parsing logic since the \"MET_version\" "
            << "global attribute is not present.\n\n";
@@ -71,171 +62,119 @@ void read_netcdf_grid(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr) {
    return;
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
-void read_netcdf_grid_v3(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr)
-{
-
-   NcGroupAtt proj_att;
-
-   // Structures to store projection info
-   LambertData        lc_data;
-   StereographicData  st_data;
-   LatLonData         ll_data;
-   RotatedLatLonData rll_data;
-   MercatorData       mc_data;
-   GaussianData        g_data;
-   SemiLatLonData     sl_data;
+void read_netcdf_grid_v3(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr) {
 
    //
    // Parse the grid specification out of the global attributes
    //
 
-   proj_att = GET_NC_ATT_OBJ_BY_P(f_in, "Projection");
+   NcGroupAtt proj_att = GET_NC_ATT_OBJ_BY_P(f_in, "Projection");
 
    //
    // Parse out the grid specification depending on the projection type
-   // The following Projection types are supported:
-   //    - Lat/Lon
-   //    - Mercator
-   //    - Lambert Conformal
-   //    - Polar Stereographic
-   //    - Gaussian
-   //    - SemiLatLon
    //
 
    if (!IS_INVALID_NC(proj_att)) {
       ConcatString proj_att_name;
       get_global_att(&proj_att, proj_att_name);
 
-      if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_latlon_data_v3(f_in, ll_data);
-         gr.set(ll_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), rotated_latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_rot_latlon_data_v3(f_in, rll_data);
-         gr.set(rll_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), mercator_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_mercator_data_v3(f_in, mc_data);
-         gr.set(mc_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), lambert_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_lambert_data_v3(f_in, lc_data);
-         gr.set(lc_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), stereographic_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_stereographic_data_v3(f_in, st_data);
-         gr.set(st_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), gaussian_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_gaussian_data(f_in, g_data);
-         gr.set(g_data);
-
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), semilatlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-
-         get_semilatlon_data(f_in, sl_data);
-         gr.set(sl_data);
-
+      if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                      latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_latlon_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             rotated_latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_rot_latlon_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             mercator_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_mercator_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             lambert_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_lambert_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             laea_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_laea_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             stereographic_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_stereographic_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             gaussian_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_gaussian_data(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             semilatlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_semilatlon_data(f_in));
       } else {   // Unsupported projection type
 
          mlog << Error << "\nread_netcdf_grid_v3() -> "
               << "Projection \"" << proj_att_name
-              << "\" not a currently supported type (\""
-              << latlon_proj_type << "\", \"" << mercator_proj_type << "\", \""
-              << lambert_proj_type << "\", \"" << stereographic_proj_type
-              << "\").\n\n";
+              << "\" not a currently supported type ("
+              << latlon_proj_type << ", "
+              << rotated_latlon_proj_type << ", "
+              << mercator_proj_type << ", "
+              << lambert_proj_type << ", "
+              << laea_proj_type << ", "
+              << stereographic_proj_type << ", "
+              << gaussian_proj_type << ", "
+              << semilatlon_proj_type << ").\n\n";
 
          exit(1);
 
       }
    }
 
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
-
+   return;
 }
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
 void read_netcdf_grid_v2(NcFile * f_in, Grid & gr)
 {
 
-   NcGroupAtt  proj_att;
-
-   // Structures to store projection info
-   LambertData       lc_data;
-   StereographicData st_data;
-   LatLonData        ll_data;
-   MercatorData      mc_data;
-
    //
    // Parse the grid specification out of the global attributes
    //
 
-   proj_att = GET_NC_ATT_OBJ_BY_P(f_in, "Projection");
+   NcGroupAtt proj_att = GET_NC_ATT_OBJ_BY_P(f_in, "Projection");
 
    //
    // Parse out the grid specification depending on the projection type
-   // The following 4 Projection types are supported:
-   //    - Lat/Lon
-   //    - Mercator
-   //    - Lambert Conformal
-   //    - Polar Stereographic
    //
 
    if (!IS_INVALID_NC(proj_att)) {
       ConcatString proj_att_name;
       get_global_att(&proj_att, proj_att_name);
-      if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-         get_latlon_data_v2(f_in, ll_data);
-         gr.set(ll_data);
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), mercator_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-         get_mercator_data_v2(f_in, mc_data);
-         gr.set(mc_data);
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), lambert_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-         get_lambert_data_v2(f_in, lc_data);
-         gr.set(lc_data);
-      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(), stereographic_proj_type) == 0 )  {
-         get_stereographic_data_v2(f_in, st_data);
-         gr.set(st_data);
+      if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                      latlon_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_latlon_data_v2(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             mercator_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_mercator_data_v2(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             lambert_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_lambert_data_v2(f_in));
+      } else if ( strcasecmp(proj_att_name.c_str(),
+                             stereographic_proj_type) == 0 )  {
+         gr.set(get_stereographic_data_v2(f_in));
       } else {   // Unsupported projection type
 
          mlog << Error << "\nread_netcdf_grid_v2() -> "
               << "Projection \"" << proj_att_name
-              << "\" not a currently supported type (\""
-              << latlon_proj_type << "\", \"" << mercator_proj_type << "\", \""
-              << lambert_proj_type << "\", \"" << stereographic_proj_type
-              << "\").\n\n";
+              << "\" not a currently supported type ("
+              << latlon_proj_type << ", "
+              << mercator_proj_type << ", "
+              << lambert_proj_type << ", "
+              << stereographic_proj_type << ").\n\n";
 
          exit(1);
       }
    }
 
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
-
+   return;
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
 int has_variable(NcFile *f_in, const char *var_name) {
    int found;
 
@@ -247,562 +186,521 @@ int has_variable(NcFile *f_in, const char *var_name) {
    return(found);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+LatLonData get_latlon_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_latlon_data_v3(NcFile * ncfile, LatLonData & data)
-{
+   LatLonData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = latlon_proj_type;
+   data.name = latlon_proj_type;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll"), data.lat_ll);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll"), data.lat_ll);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll"), data.lon_ll);
-data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll"), data.lon_ll);
+   data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
 
    // Latitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lat"), data.delta_lat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lat"), data.delta_lat);
 
    // Longitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lon"), data.delta_lon);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lon"), data.delta_lon);
 
    // Number of points in the Latitude (y) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
 
    // Number of points in the Longitudinal (x) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+RotatedLatLonData get_rot_latlon_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_rot_latlon_data_v3(NcFile * ncfile, RotatedLatLonData & data)
-{
+   RotatedLatLonData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = latlon_proj_type;
+   data.name = latlon_proj_type;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("rot_lat_ll"), data.rot_lat_ll);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("rot_lat_ll"), data.rot_lat_ll);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("rot_lon_ll"), data.rot_lon_ll);
-data.rot_lon_ll *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("rot_lon_ll"), data.rot_lon_ll);
+   data.rot_lon_ll *= -1.0;
 
    // Latitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_rot_lat"), data.delta_rot_lat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_rot_lat"), data.delta_rot_lat);
 
    // Longitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_rot_lon"), data.delta_rot_lon);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_rot_lon"), data.delta_rot_lon);
 
    // Number of points in the Latitude (y) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
 
    // Number of points in the Longitudinal (x) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
 
    //  true lat/lon of south pole
-
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("true_lat_south_pole"), data.true_lat_south_pole);
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("true_lon_south_pole"), data.true_lon_south_pole);
-if ( !west_longitude_positive )  data.true_lon_south_pole *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("true_lat_south_pole"), data.true_lat_south_pole);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("true_lon_south_pole"), data.true_lon_south_pole);
+   if ( !west_longitude_positive )  data.true_lon_south_pole *= -1.0;
 
    //  auxiliary rotation
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("aux_rotation"), data.aux_rotation);
 
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("aux_rotation"), data.aux_rotation);
-
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+LambertData get_lambert_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_lambert_data_v3(NcFile * ncfile, LambertData & data)
-{
-
-ConcatString att_value;
+   LambertData data;
+   ConcatString att_value;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = lambert_proj_type;
+   data.name = lambert_proj_type;
 
    // Hemisphere
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("hemisphere"), att_value);
-data.hemisphere = att_value.char_at(0);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("hemisphere"), att_value);
+   data.hemisphere = att_value.char_at(0);
 
    // First scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("scale_lat_1"), data.scale_lat_1);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("scale_lat_1"), data.scale_lat_1);
 
    // Second scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("scale_lat_2"), data.scale_lat_2);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("scale_lat_2"), data.scale_lat_2);
 
    // Latitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_pin"), data.lat_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_pin"), data.lat_pin);
 
    // Longitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_pin"), data.lon_pin);
-data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_pin"), data.lon_pin);
+   data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
 
    // X pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("x_pin"), data.x_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("x_pin"), data.x_pin);
 
    // Y pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("y_pin"), data.y_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("y_pin"), data.y_pin);
 
    // Orientation longitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_orient"), data.lon_orient);
-data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_orient"), data.lon_orient);
+   data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
 
    // Grid spacing in km
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
 
    // Radius of the earth
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
 
    // Number of points in the x-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
    // Number of points in the y-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
    // Rotation angle
-data.so2_angle = 0.0;
+   data.so2_angle = 0.0;
 
-data.dump();
+   data.dump();
 
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
+   return(data);
+}
 
-return;
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-}
+LaeaData get_laea_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
+   LaeaData data;
+   ConcatString att_value;
 
-///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // Store the grid name
+   data.name = laea_proj_type;
 
+   // Spheroid name
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("spheroid_name"), att_value);
+   data.spheroid_name = att_value;
 
-void get_stereographic_data_v3(NcFile * ncfile, StereographicData & data)
-{
+   // Grid spacing in km
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("radius_km"), data.radius_km);
+
+   // Equitorial radius in km
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("equatorial_radius_km"), data.equatorial_radius_km);
+
+   // Polar radius in km
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("polar_radius_km"), data.polar_radius_km);
+
+   // First latitude
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_first"), data.lat_first);
+
+   // First longitude
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_first"), data.lon_first);
+   data.lon_first *= -1.0;
+
+   // Standard latitude
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("standard_lat"), data.standard_lat);
 
-ConcatString att_value;
+   // Central longitude
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("central_lon"), data.central_lon);
+   data.central_lon *= -1.0;
+
+   // Spacing in the x-dimension
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("dx_km"), data.dx_km);
+
+   // Spacing in the y-direction
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("dy_km"), data.dy_km);
+
+   // Number of points in the x-direction
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+
+   // Number of points in the y-direction
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+
+   // Is sphere
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("is_sphere"), att_value);
+   data.is_sphere = string_to_bool(att_value.c_str());
+
+   data.dump();
+
+   return(data);
+}
+
+///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+StereographicData get_stereographic_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
+
+   StereographicData data;
+   ConcatString att_value;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = stereographic_proj_type;
+   data.name = stereographic_proj_type;
 
    // Hemisphere
-get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"hemisphere", att_value);
-data.hemisphere = att_value.char_at(0);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"hemisphere", att_value);
+   data.hemisphere = att_value.char_at(0);
 
    // Scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"scale_lat", data.scale_lat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"scale_lat", data.scale_lat);
 
    // Latitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"lat_pin", data.lat_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, (string)"lat_pin", data.lat_pin);
 
    // Longitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_pin"), data.lon_pin);
-data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_pin"), data.lon_pin);
+   data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
 
    // X pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("x_pin"), data.x_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("x_pin"), data.x_pin);
 
    // Y pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("y_pin"), data.y_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("y_pin"), data.y_pin);
 
    // Orientation longitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_orient"), data.lon_orient);
-data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_orient"), data.lon_orient);
+   data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
 
    // Grid spacing in km
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
 
    // Radius of the earth
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
 
    // Number of points in the x-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
    // Number of points in the y-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
-data.eccentricity = 0.;
-data.false_east = 0.;
-data.false_north = 0.;
-data.scale_factor = 1.0;
-data.dy_km = data.d_km;
+   data.eccentricity = 0.;
+   data.false_east = 0.;
+   data.false_north = 0.;
+   data.scale_factor = 1.0;
+   data.dy_km = data.d_km;
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+MercatorData get_mercator_data(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_mercator_data_v3(NcFile * ncfile, MercatorData & data)
-
-{
+   MercatorData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = mercator_proj_type;
+   data.name = mercator_proj_type;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll"), data.lat_ll);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll"), data.lat_ll);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll"), data.lon_ll);
-data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll"), data.lon_ll);
+   data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ur"), data.lat_ur);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ur"), data.lat_ur);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ur"), data.lon_ur);
-data.lon_ur *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ur"), data.lon_ur);
+   data.lon_ur *= -1.0;
 
    // Number of points in the Latitudinal (y) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
    // Number of points in the Longitudinal (x) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+LatLonData get_latlon_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_latlon_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile, LatLonData & data)
-
-{
+   LatLonData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = latlon_proj_type;
+   data.name = latlon_proj_type;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll_deg"), data.lat_ll);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll_deg"), data.lat_ll);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll_deg"), data.lon_ll);
-data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll_deg"), data.lon_ll);
+   data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
 
    // Latitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lat_deg"), data.delta_lat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lat_deg"), data.delta_lat);
 
    // Longitude increment
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lon_deg"), data.delta_lon);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("delta_lon_deg"), data.delta_lon);
 
    // Number of points in the Latitude (y) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.Nlat);
 
    // Number of points in the Longitudinal (x) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
-
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.Nlon);
 
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+LambertData get_lambert_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_lambert_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile, LambertData & data)
-
-{
+   LambertData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = lambert_proj_type;
+   data.name = lambert_proj_type;
 
    // First scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("p1_deg"), data.scale_lat_1);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("p1_deg"), data.scale_lat_1);
 
    // Second scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("p2_deg"), data.scale_lat_2);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("p2_deg"), data.scale_lat_2);
 
    // Latitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("p0_deg"), data.lat_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("p0_deg"), data.lat_pin);
 
    // Longitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("l0_deg"), data.lon_pin);
-data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("l0_deg"), data.lon_pin);
+   data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
 
    // X pin
-data.x_pin = 0.0;
+   data.x_pin = 0.0;
 
    // Y pin
-data.y_pin = 0.0;
+   data.y_pin = 0.0;
 
    // Orientation longitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lcen_deg"), data.lon_orient);
-data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lcen_deg"), data.lon_orient);
+   data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
 
    // Grid spacing in km
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
 
    // Radius of the earth
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
 
    // Number of points in the x-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
    // Number of points in the y-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
    // Rotation angle
-data.so2_angle = 0.0;
+   data.so2_angle = 0.0;
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+StereographicData get_stereographic_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_stereographic_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile, StereographicData & data)
-
-{
+   StereographicData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = stereographic_proj_type;
+   data.name = stereographic_proj_type;
 
    // Hemisphere, assume northern
-data.hemisphere = 'N';
+   data.hemisphere = 'N';
 
    // Scale latitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("p1_deg"), data.scale_lat);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("p1_deg"), data.scale_lat);
 
    // Latitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("p0_deg"), data.lat_pin);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("p0_deg"), data.lat_pin);
 
    // Longitude pin
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("l0_deg"), data.lon_pin);
-data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("l0_deg"), data.lon_pin);
+   data.lon_pin *= -1.0;
 
    // X pin
-data.x_pin = 0.0;
+   data.x_pin = 0.0;
 
    // Y pin
-data.y_pin = 0.0;
+   data.y_pin = 0.0;
 
    // Orientation longitude
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lcen_deg"), data.lon_orient);
-data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lcen_deg"), data.lon_orient);
+   data.lon_orient *= -1.0;
 
    // Grid spacing in km
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("d_km"), data.d_km);
 
    // Radius of the earth
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("r_km"), data.r_km);
 
    // Number of points in the x-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
    // Number of points in the y-direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
-data.eccentricity = 0.;
-data.false_east = 0.;
-data.false_north = 0.;
-data.scale_factor = 1.0;
-data.dy_km = data.d_km;
+   data.eccentricity = 0.;
+   data.false_east = 0.;
+   data.false_north = 0.;
+   data.scale_factor = 1.0;
+   data.dy_km = data.d_km;
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
-
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+MercatorData get_mercator_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_mercator_data_v2(NcFile * ncfile, MercatorData & data)
-
-{
+   MercatorData data;
 
    // Store the grid name
-data.name = mercator_proj_type;
+   data.name = mercator_proj_type;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll_deg"), data.lat_ll);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ll_deg"), data.lat_ll);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll_deg"), data.lon_ll);
-data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ll_deg"), data.lon_ll);
+   data.lon_ll *= -1.0;
 
    // Latitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ur_deg"), data.lat_ur);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lat_ur_deg"), data.lat_ur);
 
    // Longitude of the bottom left corner
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ur_deg"), data.lon_ur);
-data.lon_ur *= -1.0;
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_ur_deg"), data.lon_ur);
+   data.lon_ur *= -1.0;
 
    // Number of points in the Latitudinal (y) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.ny);
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlat"), data.ny);
 
    // Number of points in the Longitudinal (x) direction
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.nx);
-
-data.dump();
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("Nlon"), data.nx);
 
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
+   data.dump();
 
-return;
+   return(data);
 
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+GaussianData get_gaussian_data (NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_gaussian_data (NcFile * ncfile, GaussianData & data)
-
-{
-
-
-data.name = gaussian_proj_type;
+   GaussianData data;
 
-   //
-   //  Longitude for x = 0
-   //
-
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_zero"), data.lon_zero);
-
-   //
-   //  nx
-   //
-
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
-
-   //
-   //  ny
-   //
+   // Store the grid name
+   data.name = gaussian_proj_type;
 
-get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
+   // Longitude for x = 0
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("lon_zero"), data.lon_zero);
 
-data.dump();
+   // nx
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("nx"), data.nx);
 
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
+   // ny
+   get_global_att(ncfile, string("ny"), data.ny);
 
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+SemiLatLonData get_semilatlon_data (NcFile * ncfile) {
 
-void get_semilatlon_data (NcFile * ncfile, SemiLatLonData & data)
-
-{
-
-
-data.name = semilatlon_proj_type;
-
-get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "lat",   data.lats);
-
-get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "lon",   data.lons);
-
-get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "level", data.levels);
-
-get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "time",  data.times);
+   SemiLatLonData data;
 
-data.dump();
-
-   //
-   //  done
-   //
+   // Store the grid name
+   data.name = semilatlon_proj_type;
+   get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "lat",   data.lats);
+   get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "lon",   data.lons);
+   get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "level", data.levels);
+   get_semilatlon_var(ncfile, "time",  data.times);
 
-return;
+   data.dump();
 
+   return(data);
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-
 void get_semilatlon_var(NcFile *ncfile, const char * var_name, NumArray &out_na)  {
 
-NcVar nc_var = get_var(ncfile, var_name);
-
-out_na.clear();
-
-   //
-   //  requested variable may or may not be present in the file
-   //
-
-if ( IS_INVALID_NC(nc_var) )  return;
+   NcVar nc_var = get_var(ncfile, var_name);
 
-   //
-   //  store the requested data in the specified NumArray object
-   //
+   out_na.erase();
 
-long count = get_data_size(&nc_var);
-double * data_values = new double[ count ];
-get_nc_data(&nc_var, data_values);
-for(int i=0; i<count; i++)  out_na.add(data_values[i]);
-if(data_values) { delete [] data_values; data_values = (double *) 0; }
+   // Requested variable may or may not be present in the file
+   if ( IS_INVALID_NC(nc_var) )  return;
 
-return;
+   // Store the requested data in the specified NumArray object
+   long count = get_data_size(&nc_var);
+   double * data_values = new double[ count ];
+   get_nc_data(&nc_var, data_values);
+   for(int i=0; i<count; i++)  out_na.add(data_values[i]);
+   if(data_values) { delete [] data_values; data_values = (double *) 0; }
 
+   return;
 }
 
-
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid.cc b/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid.cc
index b9b84c1f48..067e52f048 100644
--- a/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid.cc
+++ b/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid.cc
@@ -85,15 +85,15 @@ lat_pole = data.standard_lat;
 lon_pole = data.central_lon;
 
 Name = data.name;
+
 SpheroidName = data.spheroid_name;
-Data.spheroid_name = SpheroidName.c_str();
 
 Nx = data.nx;
 Ny = data.ny;
 
 geoid.set_ab(data.equatorial_radius_km, data.polar_radius_km);
 
-geoid.set_name(data.spheroid_name);
+geoid.set_name(data.spheroid_name.c_str());
 
 aff.set_mb(1.0/(data.dx_km), 0.0, 0.0, 1.0/(data.dy_km), 0.0, 0.0);
 
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ geoid.set_ab(Data.equatorial_radius_km, Data.polar_radius_km);
 
 Data.spheroid_name = "Undefined";
 
-geoid.set_name(Data.spheroid_name);
+geoid.set_name(Data.spheroid_name.c_str());
 
 aff.set_mb(1.0/(Data.dx_km), 0.0, 0.0, 1.0/(Data.dy_km), 0.0, 0.0);
 
@@ -514,11 +514,15 @@ void LaeaGrid::dump(ostream & out, int depth) const
 Indent prefix(depth);
 
 out << prefix << "Name         = ";
-out << prefix << "SpheroidName = ";
 
 if ( Name.length() > 0 )  out << '\"' << Name << '\"';
 else                      out << "(nul)\n";
 
+out << prefix << "SpheroidName = ";
+
+if ( SpheroidName.length() > 0 )  out << '\"' << SpheroidName << '\"';
+else                              out << "(nul)\n";
+
 out << '\n';   //  no prefix
 
 out << prefix << "Projection   = Laea\n";
diff --git a/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid_defs.h b/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid_defs.h
index 5382aa752b..87dcbcfef4 100644
--- a/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid_defs.h
+++ b/src/libcode/vx_grid/laea_grid_defs.h
@@ -17,6 +17,12 @@
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 
+#include "string.h"
+
+
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+
 struct LaeaNetcdfData {
 
    const char * name;
@@ -60,7 +66,8 @@ struct LaeaNetcdfData {
 struct LaeaData {  
 
    const char * name;             //  not allocated
-   const char * spheroid_name;    //  not allocated
+
+   std::string spheroid_name;
 
    double radius_km;              //  for spherical Earth