Generators

# Here's the raw version:
def continuous(data_dict, fname, chunk_size=None):
    # Create netCDF4 dataset
    ds = Dataset(fname, 'w')
    create_variables(ds)

    # Figure out how to chunk
    num_points = list(data_dict.values())[0].size
    if chunk_size is None:
        chunk_size = num_points
    num_chunks = (num_points + chunk_size - 1) // chunk_size

    for i in range(num_chunks):
        chunk_slice = slice(i * chunk_size, min((i + 1) * chunk_size, num_points))
        for name in ('lon', 'lat', 'temperature'):
            ds.variables[name][chunk_slice] = data_dict[name][chunk_slice]

#
# Imagine multiple functions needing that chunking logic
#

# Instead, can factor out common loop setup and iteration
def chunker(data_dict, chunk_size):
    num_points = list(data_dict.values())[0].size
    if chunk_size is None:
        chunk_size = num_points
    num_chunks = (num_points + chunk_size - 1) // chunk_size

    for i in range(num_chunks):
        yield slice(i * chunk_size, min((i + 1) * chunk_size, num_points))

def continuous(data_dict, fname, chunk_size=None):
    # Create netCDF4 dataset
    ds = Dataset(fname, 'w')
    create_variables(ds)

    for chunk in chunker(data_dict, chunk_size):
        for name in ('lon', 'lat', 'temperature'):
            ds.variables[name][chunk] = data_dict[name][chunk]