Visualising High‐Frequency Stream Temperature Data Using an Automated Mapping Workflow

ABSTRACT Animations permit visualisation of spatiotemporal data for a range of purposes. The example application documented here uses a Geographic Information System workflow to automate map creation of changing water temperatures along the length of a 16‐km stream network, using data collected by 204 temperature sensors installed at 50–100 m intervals with 5‐min time steps. Transforming static data sets into dynamic visual representations enhances the ability to detect patterns, trends, and anomalies that might be overlooked in traditional charts or graphs. This is demonstrated by the video we produced, which shows rapid downstream propagation of a series of temperature pulses in response to a short‐duration summer storm. Integration of these elements into data analysis provides a compelling way to communicate findings to a broader audience, enriching the interpretive power and communicative effectiveness of spatiotemporal data.