Question: I use -small_grib to make a smaller domain. Why is the "smaller" file almost 3x larger?

Answer: -small_grib creates a new grib message. The default compression is "off". You can use c3 (complex number 3) compression by "-set_grib_type c3". BTW this is why grib_filter on the nomads.ncep.noaa.gov server can create larger files when making a regional subset.

Question: Why does wgrib2 create smaller complex-packed files than cnvgrib?

Answer: Complex packing can be done in different ways. wgrib2 uses a slower algorithm than cnvgrib and makes a smaller file.

Question: I get a warning about the decode may differ from the WMO standard, why?

Answer: Some software/libraries may differ from the WMO standard when encoding and decoding a constant field. The warning is based on the center and testing of software/libraries developed by that center. The testing was done many years ago and may no longer be appropriate. If any center feels that the warning is inaccurate, let me know and I will remove the warning.

The common bug is that when encoding a constant field, the decimal scaling factor modifies the field reference value. Some codes ignore the decimal scaling which was the case in the grib1 standard. To turn off the wgrib2 warning, make sure the decimal scale factor is zero when the field is constant.