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:

SPC Convective/Fire Wx or WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook Calendar (#201)

2 Configure Chart Options

Plotting Mode:

Start Date (inclusive):

(YYYY/mm/dd)

End Date (inclusive):

(YYYY/mm/dd)

Select Outlook Type

Select Day Outlook

How to summarize data:

Select WFO (when appropriate):

[DMX] Des Moines [ till now]

Select State (when appropriate):

Select UGC Zone/County (when appropriate):

[IAZ048] Story (Zone)

Select FEMA Region:

Include TSTM (general thunder) in generated calendar?

Image Pixel Size @100 DPI

Image Resolution (DPI) (50 to 500)

Select Output Format:

Plot Description:

This application presents a calendar of Storm Prediction Center or Weather Prediction Center outlooks by state, WFO, or county. The GIS spatial operation done is a simple touches. So an individual outlook that just barely scrapes the selected area would count for this presentation. Suggestions would be welcome as to how this could be improved.

This app attempts to not double-count outlook days. A SPC/WPC Outlook technically crosses two calendar days ending at 12 UTC (~7 AM). This application considers the midnight to ~7 AM period to be for the previous day, which is technically not accurate but the logic that most people expect to see.

When plotting hail, tornado, or wind probabilities, a "H" will appear on days that had "hatched"/"SIGNificant" risk. Note that this isn't an exact science as the hatched and probability risk are not checked to see if they spatially/temporally overlap each other.

Updated 6 June 2025: The CSV/Excel output was updated to include a `None` value for days without an outlook spatially coincident. Additionally, the `date` column is now formatted as `YYYY-MM-DD`.

3 Generated Chart

CSV Data Excel Download

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.

14 Jan 2025: S California Fire Wx
31 Mar 2023: Out Like a Roaring Lion
21 Jun 2022: Streak of Slight Risk
06 Apr 2022: Fire Weather Outlooks
16 Mar 2022: SPC Outlooks this Winter
27 Oct 2021: Excessive Rainfall Outlooks
18 Mar 2020: First Day 2 Slight of 2020
17 Apr 2019: Second Slight Risk for Iowa