Automated Data Plotter

This application dynamically generates many types of graphs derived from various IEM data sources. Feel free to use these generated graphics in whatever way you wish.

Reset App IEM Explorer (Simplified)

1 Select a Chart Type

Choose from available chart types:

Map of Departures/Stats over One Period of Days (#97)

2 Configure Chart Options

Select spatial domain type to plot:

Plot Sector:

NWS WFO to plot (when selected above for domain):

[DMX] Des Moines [ till now]

Which Variable to Plot:

Hard-code plot bins (space separated) [optional]:

Growing Degree Day base(F)
if you choose a sector covering more than 10 states, you are limited to values of 32, 41, 46, 48, 50, 51, 52 (long story why)

Growing Degree Day ceiling(F)
if you choose a sector covering more than 10 states, thist must be 86 (long story why)

Start Date:

(YYYY/mm/dd)

Overlay Drought Monitor

End Date (inclusive):

(YYYY/mm/dd)

Data Presentation Options

Color Ramp:

RdYlBu

Reverse Colormap?

Label Values?

Which Climatology to Use?
Note that NCEI 1991-2020 climatology only works with some base plot variables.

Space or comma separated IEM stations ids (ST####) to cull from the plot.

Image Pixel Size @100 DPI

Image Resolution (DPI) (50 to 500)

Select Output Format:

Plot Description:

This application plots an analysis of station data for a period of your choice. Spatially aggregated values like those for climate districts and statewide averages are not included. The IEM computed climatologies are based on simple daily averages of observations.

Updated 7 Feb 2024: When plotting snowfall, the application requires a 90% observation coverage for the period of interest. The issue is that the IEM currently does not estimate snowfall, like it does for high, low, and precipitation.

3 Generated Chart

CSV Data Excel Download GeoJSON

If you notice plotting issues with the image above, please contact us and provide the URL address currently shown by your web browser.

IEM Daily Features using this plot

The IEM Daily Features found on this website often utilize plots found on this application. Here is a listing of features referencing this plot type.

05 May 2025: Unfrozen Two Weeks
30 Dec 2024: 2024: Precipitation Departures
11 Nov 2024: Mississippi River Warmth
14 Oct 2024: Precip since 1 Sept
27 Sep 2024: Dry September for Most
02 Jan 2024: Wild 2023 Difference in Florida
17 Nov 2023: Nominal November Precipitation
12 Jun 2023: 31 Day Percent of Average Precip
14 Feb 2023: February Difference
10 Jun 2022: Still Dry for Year to Date
31 Jan 2022: East to West Difference
18 Nov 2021: Fall 2021 Precip Departures
26 Jul 2021: Plenty of Zeros
06 Jul 2021: Percent of Average Precip
08 Apr 2021: Large Early Accumulation
03 Aug 2020: Three Inch Departures
20 May 2020: Cool May Start
08 Aug 2019: July 1 Precip Departures
14 May 2019: Slow GDD Start to May
14 Jun 2018: D2 Returns
18 May 2018: Just 39
27 Feb 2018: February Maxes
08 Jun 2017: May 1 Precip Departures
16 Mar 2017: 20+ inch difference
10 Oct 2016: 30 Day Departures
20 May 2016: East / West Split
13 Apr 2016: 2016 Precip Departures
13 Nov 2015: Just Des Moines Left
10 Sep 2015: Large 30 Day Differences
06 Aug 2015: After all that rain
13 Jun 2014: May 1 Departures
30 May 2014: April / May Departures
12 Feb 2014: Winter Temperature Departure
31 Oct 2013: 2013 Departures
16 Sep 2013: Less than 20%
01 Oct 2012: September Ends
03 Aug 2012: No rain for July
07 Jun 2012: Mostly dry since 1 May
11 Oct 2011: Averaging 80
26 Apr 2011: Remarkable April
29 Dec 2010: Warmest temperatures so far
29 May 2009: Within a few inches
22 May 2009: 2009 Precipitation
06 May 2005: Slow start for May