With historical rainfall data, you can quickly create a rainfall graph in Google Sheets. A rainfall chart can help you in many ways.
For example, if you are working in construction projects, your outdoor project activities can be hampered by rain.
So, before scheduling your job activities, especially if you are an outsider/expatriate, it’s a good idea to have the visual representation of rainfall in your project area/region.
Such data can help you to allocate your manpower more efficiently. You can plan indoor jobs in the rainy season and reduce the outdoor activities.
Where to look for historical rainfall data?
You can possibly find the rainfall history (climate data) on the official meteorological department website pertaining to your country.
Get the rainfall data in millimeter to create the chart. Here I am going to create an annual rainfall chart with monthly data.
In addition to the rainfall history, if you have the data on rainy days, you can include that in the chart.
Sample Data to Plot an Annual Rainfall Chart in Google Sheets
Format the rainfall data as below in two rows. The first row contains month names and in the second row, you can see the rainfall received in millimeter in each month.
The above chart shows the rainfall we received in my homeland, Kerala during 2010. I have sourced the data from the page “https://data.gov.in/catalog/meteorological-sub-division-wise-monthly-rainfall”
Its Q3 in 2019 and I have used this historical data solely for helping you to create a rainfall graph in Docs Sheets. It has no other purpose.
Steps to Plot an Annual Rainfall Graph in Google Sheets
Once sourced and arranged the data as above, you can create an annual rainfall chart in just two simple steps.
- Select the array A1:M2.
- Click Insert > Chart.
Google Sheets will analyze your data and plot the column graph correctly. If you are not seeing the chart as shown above, please make sure the following.
Chart Editor Settings (Under Setup):
| 1. Chart Type | Column |
| 2. Stacking | None |
| 3. Data Range | A1:M2 |
| 4. X-AXIS | Month |
| 5. Series | Rainfall (in millimeter) |
Un-check the “Aggregate” checkbox and check “Switch Rows/Columns”, “Use column A as headers”, and “Use row 1 as labels”.
Include Rain Days in Rainfall Chart
To include rain days in the above rainfall chart, format the chart source data as below. In row# 3 you can see the numbers of rainy days in each month. Unlike rainfall, this data is not actual.
This time you need to follow the below settings to plot the graph.
- Select the range A1:M3.
- Go to Insert > Chart.
Chart Editor Settings (Under Setup):
| 1. Chart Type | Combo chart |
| 2. Stacking | None |
| 3. Data Range | A1:M3 |
| 4. X-AXIS | Month |
| 5. Series | Rainfall (in millimeter) |
| Rainy Days |
Similar to the earlier chart, here also un-check the “Aggregate” checkbox. Then check “Switch Rows/Columns”, “Use column A as headers”, and “Use row 1 as labels”
Chart Editor Settings (Under Customize):
Under the “Series” select “Rainy Days”. The “Type” should be “Line” and the Axis should be “Right”.
If the series “Rainfall” is the type “Column” leave it as it is, else change it to “Column”.
Changing Vertical Right and Left Axis Titles in a Combo Chart
In the above rainfall graph with rainy days, we have two vertical axes. To give titles to these axes, follow the below instructions.
- Under the Chart editor customize tab, click “Chart & axis titles”.
- Select “Vertical axis title” and name it as “Rainfall (in millimeter)”
- Select “Right vertical axis title” and name it as “Rainy Days”
That’s all. We have created a rainfall and rainy days chart in Google Sheets.
