Migrating to Python-Based Product Generation Software at the High Plains Regional Climate Center

The High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC), one of the six NOAA Regional Climate Centers, has been creating mapped products based off of the Applied Climate Information System since 2003. Although the center was an early adopter of Python in 2001, it has remained dependent on GrADs to complete analyses. The availability of more robust and trade specific packages, like MetPy, has enabled the HPRCC to begin migrating away from its legacy GrADs system to Python exclusive software. The transition has produced robust performance increases and the opportunity to begin creating new products and product mediums, like shapefiles and netCDF, in addition to traditional static images.