from scipy.io import netcdf
import sys

f = netcdf.netcdf_file(sys.argv[1], "r")

print f.dimensions      # dictionary of dimensions

for v in f.variables:     # f.variables is a dictionary
    print v     # iterate over the keys which are strings


rzV = f.variables["pout_psiRZ"]  # get item for the key
rzData = rzV.data		# get data of variable

print rzV.shape
print rzV.units

rz0 = rzData[0][:][:]		# take first 2-D slice; time step 0

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.contourf(rz0)
plt.show()