diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/cape.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/cape.py
index 1330a00..31e8292 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/cape.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/cape.py
@@ -20,12 +20,13 @@ __all__ = ["get_2dcape", "get_3dcape"]
                        description="mcape ; mcin ; lcl ; lfc",
                        units="J/kg ; J/kg ; m ; m",
                        MemoryOrder="XY")
-def get_2dcape(wrfnc, timeidx=0, missing=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL, 
-               method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_2dcape(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+               squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+               missing=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL):
     """Return the 2d fields of cape, cin, lcl, and lfc"""
     varnames = ("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR", "PH","PHB", "HGT", "PSFC")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
@@ -82,12 +83,13 @@ def get_2dcape(wrfnc, timeidx=0, missing=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL,
                        description="cape ; cin",
                        units="J kg-1 ; J kg-1",
                        MemoryOrder="XY")
-def get_3dcape(wrfnc, timeidx=0, missing=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL,
-               method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_3dcape(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+               squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+               missing=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL):
     """Return the 3d fields of cape and cin"""
     varnames = ("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR", "PH", "PHB", "HGT", "PSFC")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/ctt.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/ctt.py
index 0976d2a..7fb5534 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/ctt.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/ctt.py
@@ -17,14 +17,15 @@ __all__ = ["get_ctt"]
                        description="cloud top temperature",
                        MemoryOrder="XY")
 @convert_units("temp", "c")
-def get_ctt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-              cache=None):
+def get_ctt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+            squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+            units="c"):
     """Return the cloud top temperature.
     
     """
     varnames = ("T", "P", "PB", "PH", "PHB", "HGT", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ def get_ctt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c", method="cat", squeeze=True,
     haveqci = 1
     try:
         icevars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "QICE", 
-                               method, squeeze, cache)
+                               method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     except KeyError:
         qice = n.zeros(qv.shape, qv.dtype)
         haveqci = 0
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ def get_ctt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c", method="cat", squeeze=True,
     
     try:
         cldvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "QCLOUD", 
-                               method, squeeze, cache)
+                               method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     except KeyError:
         raise RuntimeError("'QCLOUD' not found in NetCDF file")
     else:
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dbz.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dbz.py
index 8f77955..4cd4aa2 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dbz.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dbz.py
@@ -13,8 +13,9 @@ __all__ = ["get_dbz", "get_max_dbz"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="dbz", 
                        description="radar reflectivity",
                        units="dBz")
-def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
-            method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+            squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+            do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False):
     """ Return the dbz
     
     do_varint - do variable intercept (if False, constants are used.  Otherwise, 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
     """
     varnames = ("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR", "QRAIN")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
     
     try:
         snowvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "QSNOW", 
-                                method, squeeze, cache)
+                                method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     except KeyError:
         qs = n.zeros(qv.shape, "float")
     else:
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
     
     try:
         graupvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "QGRAUP", 
-                                 method, squeeze, cache)
+                                 method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     except KeyError:
         qg = n.zeros(qv.shape, "float")
     else:
@@ -75,9 +76,11 @@ def get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
                        description="maximum radar reflectivity",
                        units="dBz",
                        MemoryOrder="XY")
-def get_max_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False,
-                method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
-    return n.amax(get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx, do_varint, do_liqskin, 
-                          method, squeeze, cache), 
+def get_max_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+                squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+                do_varint=False, do_liqskin=False):
+    return n.amax(get_dbz(wrfnc, timeidx, method, 
+                          squeeze, cache, meta,
+                          do_varint, do_liqskin), 
                   axis=-3)
 
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dewpoint.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dewpoint.py
index 2d7f2ae..cc6c317 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dewpoint.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/dewpoint.py
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ __all__ = ["get_dp", "get_dp_2m"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="QVAPOR", name="td", 
                        description="dew point temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "c")
-def get_dp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c",
-           method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_dp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+           cache=None, meta=True, units="c"):
     
     varnames=("P", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -32,11 +32,12 @@ def get_dp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c",
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="Q2", name="td2", 
                        description="2m dew point temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "c")
-def get_dp_2m(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="c",
-              method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_dp_2m(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+              cache=None, meta=True, 
+              units="c"):
     varnames=("PSFC", "Q2")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
 
     # Algorithm requires hPa
     psfc = .01*(ncvars["PSFC"])
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/extension.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/extension.py
index 765961a..c324d38 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/extension.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/extension.py
@@ -226,7 +226,6 @@ def computeomega(qv, tk, w, p):
                     w,
                     p)
     
-    #return res.T
     return res
 
 @handle_left_iter(3,0)
@@ -337,8 +336,8 @@ def computecape(p_hpa, tk, qv, ht, ter, sfp, missing, i3dflag, ter_follow):
     # The fortran routine needs pressure to be ascending in z-direction, 
     # along with tk,qv,and ht.
     # The extra mumbo-jumbo is so that the view created by numpy is fortran
-    # contiguous.  'ascontiguousarray' only works in C ordering, hence the extra
-    # transposes.
+    # contiguous.  'ascontiguousarray' only works in C ordering, hence the 
+    # extra transposes.
     flip_p = np.ascontiguousarray(p_hpa[:,:,::-1].T).T
     flip_tk = np.ascontiguousarray(tk[:,:,::-1].T).T
     flip_qv = np.ascontiguousarray(qv[:,:,::-1].T).T
@@ -370,9 +369,21 @@ def computeij(map_proj, truelat1, truelat2, stdlon,
                lat1, lon1, pole_lat, pole_lon,
                knowni, knownj, dx, latinc, loninc, lat, lon):
     
-    res = f_lltoij(map_proj,truelat1,truelat2,stdlon,
-                   lat1,lon1,pole_lat,pole_lon,
-                   knowni,knownj,dx,latinc,loninc,lat,lon,
+    res = f_lltoij(map_proj,
+                   truelat1,
+                   truelat2,
+                   stdlon,
+                   lat1,
+                   lon1,
+                   pole_lat,
+                   pole_lon,
+                   knowni,
+                   knownj,
+                   dx,
+                   latinc,
+                   loninc,
+                   lat,
+                   lon,
                    FortranException())
     
     return res
@@ -381,9 +392,22 @@ def computell(map_proj, truelat1, truelat2, stdlon, lat1, lon1,
              pole_lat, pole_lon, knowni, knownj, dx, latinc,
              loninc, i, j):
     
-    res = f_ijtoll(map_proj,truelat1,truelat2,stdlon,lat1,lon1,
-                   pole_lat,pole_lon,knowni,knownj,dx,latinc,
-                   loninc,i,j,FortranException())
+    res = f_ijtoll(map_proj,
+                   truelat1,
+                   truelat2,
+                   stdlon,
+                   lat1,
+                   lon1,
+                   pole_lat,
+                   pole_lon,
+                   knowni,
+                   knownj,
+                   dx,
+                   latinc,
+                   loninc,
+                   i,
+                   j,
+                   FortranException())
     
     return res
 
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/geoht.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/geoht.py
index e2095b8..d56303c 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/geoht.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/geoht.py
@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@ from .util import extract_vars, either
 
 __all__ = ["get_geopt", "get_height"]
 
-def _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, height=True, msl=True,
-               method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+               cache=None, meta=True,
+               height=True, msl=True):
     """Return the geopotential in units of m2 s-2 if height is False,
     otherwise return the geopotential height in meters.  If height is True,
     then if msl is True the result will be in MSL, otherwise AGL (the terrain
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ def _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, height=True, msl=True,
     varname = either("PH", "GHT")(wrfnc)
     if varname == "PH":
         ph_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("PH", "PHB", "HGT"),
-                               method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                               method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
         ph = ph_vars["PH"]
         phb = ph_vars["PHB"]
         hgt = ph_vars["HGT"]
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ def _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, height=True, msl=True,
         geopt_unstag = destagger(geopt, -3)
     else:
         ght_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("GHT", "HGT_M"),
-                                method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                                method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
         geopt_unstag = ght_vars["GHT"] * Constants.G
         hgt = ght_vars["HGT_M"]
     
@@ -48,14 +49,19 @@ def _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, height=True, msl=True,
     else:
         return geopt_unstag
 
+
 @set_height_metadata(geopt=True)
-def get_geopt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
-    return _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, False, True, method, squeeze, cache)
+def get_geopt(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+              meta=True):
+    return _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta,
+                      False, True,)
+
 
 @set_height_metadata(geopt=False)
 @convert_units("height", "m")
-def get_height(wrfnc, timeidx=0, msl=True, units="m",
-               method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_height(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+               cache=None, meta=True,
+               msl=True, units="m"):
     
-    return _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, True, msl, method, squeeze, cache)
+    return _get_geoht(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, True, msl)
 
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/helicity.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/helicity.py
index ef6cced..d623d33 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/helicity.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/helicity.py
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ __all__ = ["get_srh", "get_uh"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="HGT", name="srh", 
                        description="storm relative helicity",
                        units="m-2/s-2")
-def get_srh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, top=3000.0,
-            method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_srh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+            cache=None, meta=True,
+            top=3000.0):
     # Top can either be 3000 or 1000 (for 0-1 srh or 0-3 srh)
     
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("HGT", "PH", "PHB"),
-                          method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                          method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     
     ter = ncvars["HGT"]
     ph = ncvars["PH"]
@@ -27,12 +28,12 @@ def get_srh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, top=3000.0,
     # As coded in NCL, but not sure this is possible
     varname = either("U", "UU")(wrfnc)
     u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     u = destagger(u_vars[varname], -1) 
     
     varname = either("V", "VV")(wrfnc)
     v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     v = destagger(v_vars[varname], -2)
 
     geopt = ph + phb
@@ -52,8 +53,9 @@ def get_srh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, top=3000.0,
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="MAPFAC_M", name="updraft_helicity", 
                        description="updraft helicity",
                        units="m-2/s-2")
-def get_uh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, bottom=2000.0, top=5000.0,
-           method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_uh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+           cache=None, meta=True,
+           bottom=2000.0, top=5000.0):
     
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("W", "PH", "PHB", "MAPFAC_M"),
                           method, squeeze, cache)
@@ -70,12 +72,12 @@ def get_uh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, bottom=2000.0, top=5000.0,
     # As coded in NCL, but not sure this is possible
     varname = either("U", "UU")(wrfnc)
     u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     u = destagger(u_vars[varname], -1) 
     
     varname = either("V", "VV")(wrfnc)
     v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     v = destagger(v_vars[varname], -2) 
     
     zp = ph + phb
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interp.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interp.py
index ebeb7d0..f6b6645 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interp.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interp.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ __all__ = ["interplevel", "vertcross", "interpline", "vinterp"]
 
 #  Note:  Extension decorator is good enough to handle left dims
 @set_interp_metadata("horiz")
-def interplevel(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL):
+def interplevel(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL, 
+                meta=True):
     """Return the horizontally interpolated data at the provided level
     
     field3d - the 3D field to interpolate
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ def interplevel(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL):
 def vertcross(field3d, z, missingval=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL, 
               pivot_point=None, angle=None,
               start_point=None, end_point=None,
-              cache=None):
+              cache=None, meta=True):
     """Return the vertical cross section for a 3D field, interpolated 
     to a verical plane defined by a horizontal line.
     
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ def vertcross(field3d, z, missingval=Constants.DEFAULT_FILL,
 @set_interp_metadata("line")
 def interpline(field2d, pivot_point=None, 
                  angle=None, start_point=None,
-                 end_point=None, cache=None):
+                 end_point=None, cache=None, meta=True):
     """Return the 2D field interpolated along a line.
     
     Arguments:
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ def interpline(field2d, pivot_point=None,
 @set_interp_metadata("vinterp")
 def vinterp(wrfnc, field, vert_coord, interp_levels, extrapolate=False, 
             field_type=None, log_p=False, timeidx=-1, method="cat", 
-            squeeze=True, cache=None):
+            squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True):
     # Remove case sensitivity
     field_type = field_type.lower() if field_type is not None else "none"
     vert_coord = vert_coord.lower() if vert_coord is not None else "none"
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ def vinterp(wrfnc, field, vert_coord, interp_levels, extrapolate=False,
     # Extract vriables
     #timeidx = -1 # Should this be an argument?
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("PSFC", "QVAPOR", "F"), 
-                          method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                          method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     
     sfp = ncvars["PSFC"] * ConversionFactors.PA_TO_HPA
     qv = ncvars["QVAPOR"]
@@ -236,17 +237,17 @@ def vinterp(wrfnc, field, vert_coord, interp_levels, extrapolate=False,
 # Move to the new routines module
 # TODO:  Rename after the extensions are renamed
 @set_interp_metadata("horiz")
-def wrap_interpz3d(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval):
+def wrap_interpz3d(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval, meta=True):
     return interpz3d(field3d, z, desiredloc, missingval)
 
 
 @set_interp_metadata("2dxy")
-def wrap_interp2dxy(field3d, xy):
+def wrap_interp2dxy(field3d, xy, meta=True):
     return interp2dxy(field3d, xy)
 
 
 @set_interp_metadata("1d")
-def wrap_interp1d(v_in, z_in, z_out, missingval):
+def wrap_interp1d(v_in, z_in, z_out, missingval, meta=True):
     return interp1d(v_in, z_in, z_out, missingval)
 
     
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interputils.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interputils.py
index 67255de..afddc73 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interputils.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/interputils.py
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ def get_xy_z_params(z, pivot_point=None, angle=None,
         
     return xy, var2dz, z_var2d
 
-def get_xy(var, pivot_point=None, angle=None, start_point=None, end_point=None):
+def get_xy(var, pivot_point=None, angle=None, 
+           start_point=None, end_point=None):
     if pivot_point is not None:
         pos_pivot = to_positive_idxs(var.shape[-2:], pivot_point)
     else:
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlon.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlon.py
index 1072f9c..cca4473 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlon.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlon.py
@@ -9,36 +9,38 @@ from .metadecorators import set_latlon_metadata
 __all__ = ["get_lat", "get_lon", "get_ij", "get_ll"]
 
 
-def get_lat(wrfnc, timeidx=0, stagger=None,
-            method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_lat(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+            cache=None, meta=True,
+            stagger=None):
     
     varname = _lat_varname(wrfnc, stagger)
     lat_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                           nometa=False)
+                           meta)
     
     return lat_var[varname]
 
         
-def get_lon(wrfnc, timeidx=0, stagger=None,
-            method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_lon(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+            cache=None, meta=True,
+            stagger=None):
     
     varname = _lon_varname(wrfnc, stagger)
     lon_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                           nometa=False)
+                           meta)
     
     return lon_var[varname]
 
 
 @set_latlon_metadata(ij=True) 
 def get_ij(wrfnc, latitude, longitude, timeidx=0,
-           stagger=None, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+           stagger=None, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True):
     return ll_to_ij(wrfnc, latitude, longitude, timeidx, stagger, 
                     method, squeeze, cache)
     
     
 @set_latlon_metadata(ij=False) 
 def get_ll(wrfnc, i, j, timeidx=0,
-           stagger=None, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+           stagger=None, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True):
     return ij_to_ll(wrfnc, i, j, timeidx, stagger, 
                     method, squeeze, cache)
     
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlonutils.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlonutils.py
index 281d9b5..2950000 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlonutils.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/latlonutils.py
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ def _get_proj_params(wrfnc, timeidx, stagger, method, squeeze, cache):
                                         method, squeeze, cache)
             
     xlat = extract_vars(wrfnc, lat_timeidx, (latvar,), method, squeeze, cache,
-                           nometa=True)[latvar]
+                           meta=False)[latvar]
     xlon = extract_vars(wrfnc, lat_timeidx, (lonvar,), method, squeeze, cache,
-                           nometa=True)[lonvar]
+                           meta=False)[lonvar]
     
     ref_lat = np.ravel(xlat[...,0,0])
     ref_lon = np.ravel(xlon[...,0,0])
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/metadecorators.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/metadecorators.py
index 678a5c2..5499358 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/metadecorators.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/metadecorators.py
@@ -32,13 +32,19 @@ def copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname=None, delete_attrs=None, name=None,
     
     """
     @wrapt.decorator
-    def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
-        if not xarray_enabled():
+    def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs): 
+        do_meta = from_args(wrapped, ("meta",), *args, **kwargs)["meta"]
+        
+        if do_meta is None:
+            do_meta = True
+                
+        if not xarray_enabled() or not do_meta:
             return wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
         
         argvars = from_args(wrapped, ("wrfnc", "timeidx", "method", 
-                                      "squeeze", "cache", "units"), 
+                                      "squeeze", "cache", "units", "meta"), 
                             *args, **kwargs)
+        
         wrfnc = argvars["wrfnc"]
         timeidx = argvars["timeidx"]
         units = argvars["units"]
@@ -62,7 +68,7 @@ def copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname=None, delete_attrs=None, name=None,
         if var_to_copy is None:
             var_to_copy = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, (_copy_varname,), 
                                        method, squeeze, cache,
-                                       nometa=False)[_copy_varname]
+                                       meta=True)[_copy_varname]
         
         # Make a copy so we don't modify a user supplied cache
         new_cache = dict(cache) 
@@ -136,7 +142,12 @@ def set_wind_metadata(copy_varname, name, description,
                       two_d=False, wspd_wdir=False):
     @wrapt.decorator
     def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
-        if not xarray_enabled():
+        do_meta = from_args(wrapped, ("meta",), *args, **kwargs)["meta"]
+        
+        if do_meta is None:
+            do_meta = True
+                
+        if not xarray_enabled() or not do_meta:
             return wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
         
         argvars = from_args(wrapped, ("wrfnc", "timeidx", "units", 
@@ -159,7 +170,7 @@ def set_wind_metadata(copy_varname, name, description,
         
         copy_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, _copy_varname, 
                                 method, squeeze, cache, 
-                                nometa=False)[_copy_varname]
+                                meta=True)[_copy_varname]
         
         # Make a copy so we don't modify a user supplied cache
         new_cache = dict(cache) 
@@ -213,7 +224,12 @@ def set_latlon_metadata(ij=False):
     @wrapt.decorator
     def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
         
-        if not xarray_enabled():
+        do_meta = from_args(wrapped, ("meta",), *args, **kwargs)["meta"]
+        
+        if do_meta is None:
+            do_meta = True
+                
+        if not xarray_enabled() or not do_meta:
             return wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
         
         res = wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -264,7 +280,12 @@ def set_latlon_metadata(ij=False):
 def set_height_metadata(geopt=False):
     @wrapt.decorator
     def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
-        if not xarray_enabled():
+        do_meta = from_args(wrapped, ("meta",), *args, **kwargs)["meta"]
+        
+        if do_meta is None:
+            do_meta = True
+                
+        if not xarray_enabled() or not do_meta:
             return wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
         
         argvars = from_args(wrapped, ("wrfnc", "timeidx", "method", 
@@ -285,7 +306,7 @@ def set_height_metadata(geopt=False):
         # pressure (which has the same dims as destaggered height)
         ht_metadata_varname = either("P", "GHT")(wrfnc)
         ht_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ht_metadata_varname, 
-                              method, squeeze, cache, nometa=False)
+                              method, squeeze, cache, meta=True)
         ht_metadata_var = ht_var[ht_metadata_varname]
         
         # Make a copy so we don't modify a user supplied cache
@@ -695,12 +716,15 @@ def _set_1d_meta(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
                      coords=outcoords, attrs=outattrs)
     
     
-          
-
 def set_interp_metadata(interp_type):
     @wrapt.decorator
     def func_wrapper(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs):
-        if not xarray_enabled():
+        do_meta = from_args(wrapped, ("meta",), *args, **kwargs)["meta"]
+        
+        if do_meta is None:
+            do_meta = True
+                
+        if not xarray_enabled() or not do_meta:
             return wrapped(*args, **kwargs)
         
         if interp_type == "horiz":
@@ -715,4 +739,5 @@ def set_interp_metadata(interp_type):
             return _set_2dxy_meta(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs)
         elif interp_type == "1d":
             return _set_1d_meta(wrapped, instance, args, kwargs)
+        
     return func_wrapper
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/omega.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/omega.py
index 7e545c0..ae463e9 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/omega.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/omega.py
@@ -12,10 +12,11 @@ __all__ = ["get_omega"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="omega", 
                        description="omega",
                        units="Pa/s")
-def get_omega(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_omega(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None,
+              meta=True):
     varnames=("T", "P", "W", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     w = ncvars["W"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pressure.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pressure.py
index 5b0b204..fdf6b39 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pressure.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pressure.py
@@ -10,25 +10,27 @@ __all__ = ["get_pressure", "get_pressure_hpa"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), name="pressure", 
                        description="pressure")
 @convert_units("pressure", "pa")
-def get_pressure(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="pa",
-                 method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_pressure(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                 cache=None, meta=True,
+                 units="pa"):
     
     varname = either("P", "PRES")(wrfnc)
     if varname == "P":
         p_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("P", "PB"), 
-                              method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                              method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
         p = p_vars["P"]
         pb = p_vars["PB"]
         pres = p + pb
     else:
         pres = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "PRES", 
-                            method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)["PRES"]
+                            method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)["PRES"]
     
     return pres
 
-def get_pressure_hpa(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="hpa", 
-                     method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
-    return get_pressure(wrfnc, timeidx, units, method, squeeze, cache)
+def get_pressure_hpa(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                     cache=None, meta=True,
+                     units="hpa"):
+    return get_pressure(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, units)
 
 
     
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pw.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pw.py
index 79249b9..cd7388e 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pw.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/pw.py
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ __all__ = ["get_pw"]
                        description="precipitable water",
                        MemoryOrder="XY",
                        units="kg m-2")
-def get_pw(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_pw(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+           meta=True):
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "PH", "PHB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/rh.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/rh.py
index 2514262..1629a19 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/rh.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/rh.py
@@ -11,10 +11,11 @@ __all__ = ["get_rh", "get_rh_2m"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="rh", 
                        description="relative humidity",
                        delete_attrs=("units",))
-def get_rh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_rh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+           meta=True):
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -31,10 +32,11 @@ def get_rh(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T2", name="rh2", 
                        description="2m relative humidity",
                        delete_attrs=("units",))
-def get_rh_2m(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_rh_2m(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None,
+              meta=True):
     varnames=("T2", "PSFC", "Q2")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t2 = ncvars["T2"]
     psfc = ncvars["PSFC"]
     q2 = ncvars["Q2"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/routines.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/routines.py
index 858bf12..a854e07 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/routines.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/routines.py
@@ -150,17 +150,19 @@ def _check_kargs(var, kargs):
               
   
 def getvar(wrfnc, var, timeidx=0, 
-           method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+           method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True, 
            **kargs):
     
     wrfnc = _unpack_sequence(wrfnc)
     
     if is_standard_wrf_var(wrfnc, var):
-        return extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, var, method, squeeze, cache)[var]
+        return extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, var, 
+                            method, squeeze, cache, meta)[var]
       
     actual_var = _undo_alias(var)
     if actual_var not in _VALID_KARGS:
         raise ArgumentError("'%s' is not a valid variable name" % (var))
       
     _check_kargs(actual_var, kargs)
-    return _FUNC_MAP[actual_var](wrfnc,timeidx,**kargs)
+    return _FUNC_MAP[actual_var](wrfnc, timeidx, 
+                                 method, squeeze, cache, meta, **kargs)
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/slp.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/slp.py
index cc45ef8..cea61a9 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/slp.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/slp.py
@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@ __all__ = ["get_slp"]
                        description="sea level pressure",
                        MemoryOrder="XY")
 @convert_units("pressure", "hpa")
-def get_slp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="hpa", 
-            method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_slp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+            cache=None, meta=True,
+            units="hpa"):
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR", "PH", "PHB")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
 
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/temp.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/temp.py
index 5c4c8d1..f513c7f 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/temp.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/temp.py
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@ __all__ = ["get_theta", "get_temp", "get_eth", "get_tv", "get_tw",
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="theta", 
                        description="potential temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "k")
-def get_theta(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", 
-              method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_theta(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+              cache=None, meta=True,
+              units="k"):
     varnames = ("T",)
     
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     full_t = t + Constants.T_BASE
 
@@ -27,13 +28,14 @@ def get_theta(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k",
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="temp", 
                        description="temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "k")
-def get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-             cache=None):
+def get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+             cache=None, meta=True,
+             units="k"):
     """Return the temperature in Kelvin or Celsius"""
     
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -47,13 +49,14 @@ def get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True,
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="theta_e", 
                        description="equivalent potential temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "k")
-def get_eth(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-            cache=None):
+def get_eth(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+            cache=None, meta=True,
+            units="k"):
     "Return equivalent potential temperature (Theta-e) in Kelvin"
     
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -70,13 +73,14 @@ def get_eth(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True,
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="tv", 
                        description="virtual temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "k")
-def get_tv(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-           cache=None):
+def get_tv(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+           cache=None, meta=True,
+           units="k"):
     "Return the virtual temperature (tv) in Kelvin or Celsius"
     
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
@@ -94,13 +98,14 @@ def get_tv(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True,
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="twb", 
                        description="wetbulb temperature")
 @convert_units("temp", "k")
-def get_tw(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-           cache=None):
+def get_tw(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+           cache=None, meta=True,
+           units="k"):
     "Return the wetbulb temperature (tw)"
     
     varnames=("T", "P", "PB", "QVAPOR")
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     t = ncvars["T"]
     p = ncvars["P"]
     pb = ncvars["PB"]
@@ -114,13 +119,13 @@ def get_tw(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="k", method="cat", squeeze=True,
     
     return tw
 
-def get_tk(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
-    return get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx, units="k", 
-                    method=method, squeeze=squeeze, cache=cache)
+def get_tk(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+           meta=True):
+    return get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, units="k")
 
-def get_tc(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
-    return get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx, units="c",
-                    method=method, squeeze=squeeze, cache=cache)
+def get_tc(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None,
+           meta=True):
+    return get_temp(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, units="c")
     
     
 
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/terrain.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/terrain.py
index 8fc4dca..972b6cb 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/terrain.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/terrain.py
@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ __all__ = ["get_terrain"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname=either("HGT", "HGT_M"), name="terrain", 
                        description="terrain height")
 @convert_units("height", "m")
-def get_terrain(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="m", method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-              cache=None):
+def get_terrain(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+              cache=None, meta=False, units="m"):
     varname = either("HGT", "HGT_M")(wrfnc)
+    
     return extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, 
-                        method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)[varname]
+                        method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)[varname]
 
     
         
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/times.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/times.py
index 61af303..3045213 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/times.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/times.py
@@ -5,5 +5,5 @@ from .util import extract_times
 
 __all__ = ["get_times"]
 
-def get_times(wrfnc,timeidx=0):
-    return extract_times(wrfnc,timeidx)
+def get_times(wrfnc, timeidx=0):
+    return extract_times(wrfnc, timeidx)
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/util.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/util.py
index c03bb7c..f9ae1f3 100644
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/util.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/util.py
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ def extract_dim(wrfnc, dim):
         return len(d) #netCDF4
     return d # PyNIO
         
-def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, nometa):
+def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, meta):
     """Dictionary combination creates a new left index for each key, then 
     does a cat or join for the list of files for that key"""
     keynames = []
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, nometa):
     
     first_array = _extract_var(wrfdict[first_key], varname, 
                               timeidx, is_moving=is_moving, method=method, 
-                              squeeze=False, cache=None, nometa=nometa)
+                              squeeze=False, cache=None, meta=meta)
     
     
     # Create the output data numpy array based on the first array
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, nometa):
             keynames.append(key)
             vardata = _extract_var(wrfdict[key], varname, timeidx, 
                                    is_moving=is_moving, method=method, 
-                                   squeeze=False, cache=None, nometa=nometa)
+                                   squeeze=False, cache=None, meta=meta)
             
             if outdata.shape[1:] != vardata.shape:
                 raise ValueError("data sequences must have the "
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, nometa):
             outdata[idx,:] = npvalues(vardata)[:]
             idx += 1
       
-    if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+    if xarray_enabled() and meta:
         outname = unicode(first_array.name)
         # Note: assumes that all entries in dict have same coords
         outcoords = OrderedDict(first_array.coords)
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ def _combine_dict(wrfdict, varname, timeidx, method, nometa):
 
 # TODO:  implement in C
 # Note:  is moving argument needed for dictionary combination
-def _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, squeeze, nometa):
+def _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, squeeze, meta):
     if is_moving is None:
         is_moving = _is_moving_domain(wrfseq, varname)
     
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ def _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, squeeze, nometa):
     # wrfseq might be a generator
     wrf_iter = iter(wrfseq)
     
-    if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+    if xarray_enabled() and meta:
         first_var = _build_data_array(next(wrf_iter), varname, 
                                       timeidx, is_moving)
     else:
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ def _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, squeeze, nometa):
             
             startidx = endidx
     
-    if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+    if xarray_enabled() and meta:
         # FIXME:  If it's a moving nest, then the coord arrays need to have same
         # time indexes as the whole data set
         outname = unicode(first_var.name)
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ def _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, squeeze, nometa):
     return outarr
 
 # TODO:  implement in C
-def _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, nometa):
+def _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, meta):
     if is_moving is None:
         is_moving = _is_moving_domain(wrfseq, varname)
     multitime = _is_multi_time_req(timeidx)
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ def _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, nometa):
     # wrfseq might be a generator
     wrf_iter = iter(wrfseq)
     
-    if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+    if xarray_enabled() and meta:
         first_var = _build_data_array(next(wrf_iter), varname, 
                                       timeidx, is_moving)
     else:
@@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ def _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, nometa):
             outdata[idx,:] = outvar[:]
             idx += 1
         
-    if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+    if xarray_enabled() and meta:
         outname = unicode(first_var.name)
         outcoords = OrderedDict(first_var.coords)
         outattrs = OrderedDict(first_var.attrs)
@@ -495,19 +495,19 @@ def _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, nometa):
     return outarr
 
 def combine_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving=None,
-                  method="cat", squeeze=True, nometa=False):
+                  method="cat", squeeze=True, meta=True):
     
     # Handles generators, single files, lists, tuples, custom classes
     wrfseq = _unpack_sequence(wrfseq)
     
     # Dictionary is unique
     if _is_mapping(wrfseq):
-        outarr = _combine_dict(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, method, nometa)
+        outarr = _combine_dict(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, method, meta)
     elif method.lower() == "cat":
         outarr = _cat_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, 
-                            squeeze, nometa)
+                            squeeze, meta)
     elif method.lower() == "join":
-        outarr = _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, nometa)
+        outarr = _join_files(wrfseq, varname, timeidx, is_moving, meta)
     else:
         raise ValueError("method must be 'cat' or 'join'")
     
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ def _build_data_array(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving_domain):
 
 # Cache is a dictionary of already extracted variables
 def _extract_var(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving, 
-                 method, squeeze, cache, nometa):
+                 method, squeeze, cache, meta):
     # Mainly used internally so variables don't get extracted multiple times,
     # particularly to copy metadata.  This can be slow.
     if cache is not None:
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ def _extract_var(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving,
         except KeyError:
             pass
         else:
-            if nometa:
+            if not meta:
                 if isinstance(cache_var, DataArray):
                     return cache_var.values
             
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ def _extract_var(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving,
     multifile = _is_multi_file(wrfnc)
     
     if not multifile:
-        if xarray_enabled() and not nometa:
+        if xarray_enabled() and meta:
             if is_moving is None:
                 is_moving = _is_moving_domain(wrfnc, varname)
             result = _build_data_array(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving)
@@ -638,20 +638,20 @@ def _extract_var(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving,
     else:
         # Squeeze handled in this routine, so just return it
         return combine_files(wrfnc, varname, timeidx, is_moving, 
-                             method, squeeze, nometa)
+                             method, squeeze, meta)
         
     return result.squeeze() if squeeze else result
 
 
 def extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varnames, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
-                 cache=None, nometa=False):
+                 cache=None, meta=True):
     if isstr(varnames):
         varlist = [varnames]
     else:
         varlist = varnames
     
     return {var:_extract_var(wrfnc, var, timeidx, None,
-                             method, squeeze, cache, nometa)
+                             method, squeeze, cache, meta)
             for var in varlist}
 
 def _make_time(timearr):
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/uvmet.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/uvmet.py
index 3c16a6e..d9d7e31 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/uvmet.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/uvmet.py
@@ -18,31 +18,32 @@ __all__=["get_uvmet", "get_uvmet10", "get_uvmet_wspd_wdir",
 
 
 @convert_units("wind", "mps")
-def _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, ten_m=False, units ="mps", 
-              method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+               cache=None, meta=True,
+               ten_m=False, units ="mps"):
     """ Return a tuple of u,v with the winds rotated in to earth space"""
     
     if not ten_m:
         varname = either("U", "UU")(wrfnc)
         u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                              nometa=True)
+                              meta=False)
         
         u = destagger(u_vars[varname], -1)
         
         varname = either("V", "VV")(wrfnc)
         v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                              nometa=True)
+                              meta=False)
         v = destagger(v_vars[varname], -2)
     else:
         varname = either("U10", "UU")(wrfnc)
         u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                              nometa=True)
+                              meta=False)
         u = (u_vars[varname] if varname == "U10" else 
              destagger(u_vars[varname][...,0,:,:], -1)) 
         
         varname = either("V10", "VV")(wrfnc)
         v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                              nometa=True)
+                              meta=False)
         v = (v_vars[varname] if varname == "V10" else 
              destagger(v_vars[varname][...,0,:,:], -2))
     
@@ -98,12 +99,12 @@ def _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, ten_m=False, units ="mps",
         
         varname = either("XLAT_M", "XLAT")(wrfnc)
         xlat_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, 
-                                method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                                method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
         lat = xlat_var[varname]
         
         varname = either("XLONG_M", "XLONG")(wrfnc)
         xlon_var = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, 
-                                method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                                method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
         lon = xlon_var[varname]
         
         if map_proj == 1:
@@ -129,10 +130,12 @@ def _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, ten_m=False, units ="mps",
                    description="earth rotated u,v",
                    two_d=False, 
                    wspd_wdir=False)      
-def get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-              method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+              cache=None, meta=True,
+              units="mps"):
     
-    return _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, False, units, method, squeeze, cache)
+    return _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta,
+                      False, units)
 
 
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("PSFC", "F"), 
@@ -140,10 +143,12 @@ def get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
                    description="10m earth rotated u,v",
                    two_d=True, 
                    wspd_wdir=False)
-def get_uvmet10(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_uvmet10(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                cache=None, meta=True,
+                units="mps"):
     
-    return _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, True, units, method, squeeze, cache)
+    return _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, 
+                      True, units)
 
 
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), 
@@ -151,10 +156,12 @@ def get_uvmet10(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
                    description="earth rotated wspd,wdir",
                    two_d=False, 
                    wspd_wdir=True)
-def get_uvmet_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                        method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_uvmet_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                        cache=None, meta=True,
+                        units="mps"):
     
-    uvmet = _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, False, units, method, squeeze, cache)
+    uvmet = _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, False, units, method, squeeze, cache,
+                       meta)
     
     return _calc_wspd_wdir(uvmet[...,0,:,:,:], uvmet[...,1,:,:,:], False, units)
     
@@ -164,10 +171,12 @@ def get_uvmet_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
                    description="10m earth rotated wspd,wdir",
                    two_d=True, 
                    wspd_wdir=True)
-def get_uvmet10_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                          method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_uvmet10_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                          cache=None, meta=True,
+                          units="mps"):
     
-    uvmet10 = _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, True, units, method, squeeze, cache)
+    uvmet10 = _get_uvmet(wrfnc, timeidx, method, squeeze, cache, meta, 
+                         True, units)
     
     return _calc_wspd_wdir(uvmet10[...,0,:,:], uvmet10[...,1,:,:], True, units)
     
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/vorticity.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/vorticity.py
index 6931951..e1324e8 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/vorticity.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/vorticity.py
@@ -10,11 +10,12 @@ __all__ = ["get_avo", "get_pvo"]
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="avo", 
                        description="absolute vorticity",
                        units="10-5 s-1")
-def get_avo(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_avo(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+            meta=True):
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("U", "V", "MAPFAC_U",
                                            "MAPFAC_V", "MAPFAC_M",
                                            "F"),
-                          method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                          method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     
     attrs = extract_global_attrs(wrfnc, attrs=("DX", "DY"))
     u = ncvars["U"]
@@ -33,12 +34,13 @@ def get_avo(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
 @copy_and_set_metadata(copy_varname="T", name="pvo", 
                        description="potential vorticity",
                        units="PVU")
-def get_pvo(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_pvo(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None, 
+            meta=True):
     ncvars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, ("U", "V", "T", "P",
                                            "PB", "MAPFAC_U",
                                            "MAPFAC_V", "MAPFAC_M",
                                            "F"),
-                          method, squeeze, cache, nometa=True)
+                          method, squeeze, cache, meta=False)
     attrs = extract_global_attrs(wrfnc, attrs=("DX", "DY"))
     
     u = ncvars["U"]
diff --git a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/wind.py b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/wind.py
index 071ce76..c5d9b63 100755
--- a/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/wind.py
+++ b/wrf_open/var/src/python/wrf/var/wind.py
@@ -12,14 +12,17 @@ from .metadecorators import set_wind_metadata
 __all__ = ["get_u_destag", "get_v_destag", "get_w_destag",
            "get_destag_wspd_wdir", "get_destag_wspd_wdir10"]
 
+
 @convert_units("wind", "mps")
 def _calc_wspd(u, v, units="mps"):
     return np.sqrt(u**2 + v**2)
 
+
 def _calc_wdir(u, v):
     wdir = 270.0 - np.arctan2(v,u) * (180.0/Constants.PI)
     return np.remainder(wdir, 360.0)
 
+
 def _calc_wspd_wdir(u, v, two_d, units):
     wspd = _calc_wspd(u, v, units)
     wdir = _calc_wdir(u, v)
@@ -43,6 +46,7 @@ def _calc_wspd_wdir(u, v, two_d, units):
     
     return res
 
+
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), 
                    name="ua",
                    description="destaggered u-wind component",
@@ -50,15 +54,17 @@ def _calc_wspd_wdir(u, v, two_d, units):
                    two_d=False, 
                    wspd_wdir=False)
 @convert_units("wind", "mps")
-def get_u_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                 method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_u_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                 cache=None, meta=True,
+                 units="mps"):
     varname = either("U", "UU")(wrfnc)
     u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     u = destagger(u_vars[varname], -1)
     
     return u
 
+
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), 
                    name="va",
                    description="destaggered v-wind component",
@@ -66,14 +72,16 @@ def get_u_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
                    wind_ncvar=True, 
                    wspd_wdir=False)
 @convert_units("wind", "mps")
-def get_v_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                 method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_v_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                 cache=None, meta=True,
+                 units="mps"):
     varname = either("V", "VV")(wrfnc)
     v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     v = destagger(v_vars[varname], -2)
     return v
 
+
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), 
                    name="wa",
                    description="destaggered w-wind component",
@@ -81,49 +89,54 @@ def get_v_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
                    wind_ncvar=True, 
                    wspd_wdir=False)
 @convert_units("wind", "mps")
-def get_w_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps", 
-                 method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_w_destag(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", squeeze=True, 
+                 cache=None, meta=True,
+                 units="mps"):
     w_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, "W", method, squeeze, cache, 
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     w = destagger(w_vars["W"], -3)
     return w
 
+
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("P", "PRES"), 
                    name="wspd_wdir",
                    description="wspd,wdir in projection space",
                    two_d=False, 
                    wspd_wdir=True)
-def get_destag_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                         method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_destag_wspd_wdir(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+                         squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True,
+                         units="mps"):
     varname = either("U", "UU")(wrfnc)
     u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     u = destagger(u_vars[varname], -1)
     
     varname = either("V", "VV")(wrfnc)
     v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     v = destagger(v_vars[varname], -2)
     
     return _calc_wspd_wdir(u, v, False, units)
 
+
 @set_wind_metadata(copy_varname=either("PSFC", "F"), 
                    name="wspd_wdir10",
                    description="10m wspd,wdir in projection space",
                    two_d=False, 
                    wspd_wdir=True)
-def get_destag_wspd_wdir10(wrfnc, timeidx=0, units="mps",
-                         method="cat", squeeze=True, cache=None):
+def get_destag_wspd_wdir10(wrfnc, timeidx=0, method="cat", 
+                           squeeze=True, cache=None, meta=True, 
+                           units="mps"):
     
     varname = either("U10", "UU")(wrfnc)
     u_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     u = (u_vars[varname] if varname == "U10" else 
          destagger(u_vars[varname][...,0,:,:], -1)) 
     
     varname = either("V10", "VV")(wrfnc)
     v_vars = extract_vars(wrfnc, timeidx, varname, method, squeeze, cache,
-                          nometa=True)
+                          meta=False)
     v = (v_vars[varname] if varname == "V10" else 
          destagger(v_vars[varname][...,0,:,:], -2))