Fix pp save of realization coordinate

docs/src/whatsnew/latest.rst

@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ This document explains the changes made to Iris for this release
 #. `@acchamber`_ and `@rcomer`_ modified 2D plots so that time axes and their
    ticks have more sensible default labels.  (:issue:`5426`, :pull:`5561`)
 
+#. `@rcomer`_ added handling for realization coordinates when saving pp files
+   (:issue:`4747`, :pull:`5568`)
+
 
 💣 Incompatible Changes
 =======================

lib/iris/fileformats/pp_save_rules.py

@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ def _non_std_cross_section_rules(cube, pp):
 
 def _lbproc_rules(cube, pp):
     """
-    Rules for setting the horizontal grid and pole location of the PP field.
+    Rules for setting the time processing information of the PP field.
 
     Note: `pp.lbproc` must be set to 0 before these rules are run.
 
@@ -845,7 +845,7 @@ def _vertical_rules(cube, pp):
 
 def _all_other_rules(cube, pp):
     """
-    Rules for setting the horizontal grid and pole location of the PP field.
+    Rules for setting the field code and ensemble member number of the PP field.
 
     Args:
         cube: the cube being saved as a series of PP fields.
@@ -860,13 +860,18 @@ def _all_other_rules(cube, pp):
     if check_items in CF_TO_LBFC:
         pp.lbfc = CF_TO_LBFC[check_items]
 
-    # Set STASH code.
+    # Set field code.
     if (
         "STASH" in cube.attributes
         and str(cube.attributes["STASH"]) in STASH_TRANS
     ):
         pp.lbfc = STASH_TRANS[str(cube.attributes["STASH"])].field_code
 
+    # Set ensemble member number.
+    real_coord = scalar_coord(cube, "realization")
+    if real_coord is not None:
+        pp.lbrsvd[3] = real_coord.points[0]
+
     return pp
 
 

lib/iris/tests/unit/fileformats/pp/test_save.py

@@ -44,6 +44,18 @@ def test_grid_and_pole__scalar_dim_longitude(unit, modulus):
     assert field.lbnpt == lon.points.size
 
 
+def test_realization():
+    cube = stock.lat_lon_cube()
+    real_coord = DimCoord(42, standard_name="realization", units=1)
+    cube.add_aux_coord(real_coord)
+    with mock.patch("iris.fileformats.pp.PPField3", autospec=True) as pp_field:
+        pp_field.lbrsvd = list(range(6))
+        verify(cube, pp_field)
+        member_number = pp_field.lbrsvd[3]
+
+    assert member_number == 42
+
+
 def _pp_save_ppfield_values(cube):
     """
     Emulate saving a cube as PP, and capture the resulting PP field values.