diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.cpg b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.cpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad133c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.cpg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UTF-8
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.dbf b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.dbf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f3b98cb
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.dbf differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.prj b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.prj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f45cbad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.prj
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984",DATUM["D_WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137.0,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.0174532925199433]]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shp b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2066748
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shp differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shx b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..030130e
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_10m_coastline.shx differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.cpg b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.cpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad133c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.cpg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UTF-8
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.dbf b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.dbf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d89c673
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.dbf differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.prj b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.prj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b13a717
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.prj
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984",DATUM["D_WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137.0,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.017453292519943295]]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shp b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc3f939
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shp differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shx b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49cc085
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_coastline.shx differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.cpg b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.cpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad133c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.cpg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UTF-8
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.dbf b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.dbf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0ee147
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.dbf differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.prj b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.prj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b13a717
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.prj
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984",DATUM["D_WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137.0,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.017453292519943295]]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shp b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69ce127
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shp differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shx b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c82e83
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_land.shx differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.cpg b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.cpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad133c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.cpg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UTF-8
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.dbf b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.dbf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..41b0b77
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.dbf differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.prj b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.prj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b13a717
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.prj
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984",DATUM["D_WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137.0,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0.0],UNIT["Degree",0.017453292519943295]]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shp b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..953e7a1
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shp differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shx b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b665c27
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_110m_ocean.shx differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.cpg b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.cpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ad133c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.cpg
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+UTF-8
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.dbf b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.dbf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e98c7d4
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.dbf differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.prj b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.prj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a30c00a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.prj
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+GEOGCS["GCS_WGS_1984",DATUM["D_WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS_1984",6378137,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0],UNIT["Degree",0.017453292519943295]]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shp b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e2890d
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shp differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shx b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..235eb40
Binary files /dev/null and b/wrfplot/data/shapefiles/natural_earth/physical/ne_50m_coastline.shx differ
diff --git a/wrfplot/data/wrf_variables.ini b/wrfplot/data/wrf_variables.ini
index 0a08aeb..144780d 100644
--- a/wrfplot/data/wrf_variables.ini
+++ b/wrfplot/data/wrf_variables.ini
@@ -1,289 +1,289 @@
 [slp]
-title="Mean Sea Level Pressure"
-unit="hPa"
-cmap="None"
+title=Mean Sea Level Pressure
+unit=hPa
+cmap=None
 c_bar_extend=None
-clevels="None"
+clevels=None
 clable=True
 
 [winds]
-title="10M Surface Winds"
-unit="Kt"
-cmap="perc2_9lev"
-clevels=[10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55]
-c_bar_extend="max"
+title=10M Surface Winds
+unit=Kt
+cmap=perc2_9lev
+clevels=10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55
+c_bar_extend=max
 clable=True
 
 [rh2]
-title="2m Relative Humidity"
-unit="%%"
-cmap="rh_19lev"
-clevels=[10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100]
-c_bar_extend="neither"
+title=2m Relative Humidity
+unit=%%
+cmap=rh_19lev
+clevels=10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
+c_bar_extend=neither
 clable=True
 
 [T2]
-title="2m Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="nrl_sirkes_nowhite"
-clevels=[10,14,18,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,42,44]
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=2m Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=nrl_sirkes_nowhite
+clevels=10,14,18,22,25,28,31,34,37,40,42,44
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [mcape]
-title="CAPE Maximum"
-unit="$J kg^{1}$"
-cmap="matter"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=CAPE Maximum
+unit=$J kg^{1}$
+cmap=matter
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [mcin]
-title="Minimum Convective Inhibition "
-unit="$J kg^{1}$"
-cmap="WhiteBlue"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Minimum Convective Inhibition
+unit=$J kg^{1}$
+cmap=WhiteBlue
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [lcl]
-title="Lifting Condensation Level"
-unit="Meters"
-cmap="vvlt_turq3"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="max"
+title=Lifting Condensation Level
+unit=Meters
+cmap=vvlt_turq3
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=max
 clable=True
 
 [lfc]
-title="Level of Free Convection"
-unit="Meters"
-cmap="yel3_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="max"
+title=Level of Free Convection
+unit=Meters
+cmap=yel3_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=max
 clable=True
 
 [ctt]
-title="Cloud Top Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="devon"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Cloud Top Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=devon
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [low_cloudfrac]
-title="Low Cloud Coverage"
-unit="%%"
-cmap="nuuk_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Low Cloud Coverage
+unit=%%
+cmap=nuuk_r
+clevels=10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [mid_cloudfrac]
-title="Medium Cloud Coverage"
-unit="%%"
-cmap="tokyo_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Medium Cloud Coverage
+unit=%%
+cmap=tokyo_r
+clevels=10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [high_cloudfrac]
-title="High Cloud Coverage"
-unit="%%"
-cmap="c_violet1_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=High Cloud Coverage
+unit=%%
+cmap=c_violet1_r
+clevels=10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [mdbz]
-title="Maximum Reflectivity"
-unit="dBZ"
-cmap="radar_1"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Maximum Reflectivity
+unit=dBZ
+cmap=radar_1
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [helicity]
-title="Storm Relative Helicity"
-unit="$m^{2} s^{-2}$"
-cmap="thermal_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Storm Relative Helicity
+unit=$m^{2} s^{-2}$
+cmap=thermal_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [pw]
-title="Precipitable Water"
-unit="$kg m^{-2}$"
-cmap="example"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Precipitable Water
+unit=$kg m^{-2}$
+cmap=example
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [td2]
-title="2m Dew Point Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="cmp_haxby_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=2m Dew Point Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=cmp_haxby_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [ppn_accum]
-title="Accumulated Precipitation"
-unit="mm"
-cmap="cet_r_bgyr"
-clevels=[2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200,300,400, 600]
-c_bar_extend="neither"
+title=Accumulated Precipitation
+unit=mm
+cmap=cet_r_bgyr
+clevels=2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200,300,400, 600
+c_bar_extend=neither
 clable=True
 
 [ppn_conv]
-title="Convective Precipitation"
-unit="mm"
-cmap="cmp_haxby"
-clevels=[2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200]
-c_bar_extend="neither"
+title=Convective Precipitation
+unit=mm
+cmap=cmp_haxby
+clevels=2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200
+c_bar_extend=neither
 clable=True
 
 [ppn]
-title="Precipitation/ Rain"
-unit="mm"
-cmap="paired_12"
-clevels=[2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200]
-c_bar_extend="neither"
+title=Precipitation/ Rain
+unit=mm
+cmap=paired_12
+clevels=2,5,10,15,20,30,40,50,80,100,200
+c_bar_extend=neither
+clable=True
+
+[updraft_helicity]
+title=Updraft Helicity
+unit=$m^{2} s^{-2}$
+cmap=thermal_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_theta_e]
-title="Equivalent Potential Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="rainbow"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Equivalent Potential Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=rainbow
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_avo]
-title="Absolute Vorticity"
-unit="$10^{-5} s^{-1}$"
-cmap="MPL_gist_earth"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Absolute Vorticity
+unit=$10^{-5} s^{-1}$
+cmap=MPL_gist_earth
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_dbz]
-title="Reflectivity"
-unit="radar_1"
-cmap="wh_bl_gr_ye_re"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Reflectivity
+unit=dBz
+cmap=radar_1
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_geopotential]
-title="Geopotential - Mass Grid"
-unit="$m^{2} s^{-2}$"
-cmap="thermal_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Geopotential - Mass Grid
+unit=$m^{2} s^{-2}$
+cmap=thermal_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_omg]
-title="Omega"
-unit="$Pa s^{-1}s$"
-cmap="cubehelix1_16_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Omega
+unit=$Pa s^{-1}s$
+cmap=cubehelix1_16_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_pressure]
-title="Full Model Pressure"
-unit="hPa"
-cmap="example"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Full Model Pressure
+unit=hPa
+cmap=example
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_pvo]
-title="Potential Vorticity"
-unit="PVU"
-cmap="GMT_wysiwygcont"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Potential Vorticity
+unit=PVU
+cmap=GMT_wysiwygcont
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_td]
-title="Dew Point Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="cmp_haxby_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Dew Point Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=cmp_haxby_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_rh]
-title="Relative Humidity"
-unit="%%"
-cmap="rh_19lev"
-clevels=[10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100]
-c_bar_extend="neither"
+title=Relative Humidity
+unit=%%
+cmap=rh_19lev
+clevels=10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
+c_bar_extend=neither
 clable=True
 
 [u_theta]
-title="Potential Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="nrl_sirkes_nowhite"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Potential Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=nrl_sirkes_nowhite
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_temp]
-title="Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="nrl_sirkes_nowhite"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=nrl_sirkes_nowhite
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_tv]
-title="Virtual Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="nrl_sirkes_nowhite"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Virtual Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=nrl_sirkes_nowhite
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 
 [u_twb]
-title="Wet Bulb Temperature"
-unit="°C"
-cmap="nrl_sirkes_nowhite_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Wet Bulb Temperature
+unit=°C
+cmap=nrl_sirkes_nowhite_r
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 
-[u_updraft_helicity]
-title="Updraft Helicity"
-unit="$m^{2} s^{-2}$"
-cmap="thermal_r"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
-clable=True
-
 [u_winds]
-title="Wind Speed and Direction"
-unit="Kt"
-cmap="perc2_9lev"
-clevels=[10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55]
-c_bar_extend="max"
+title=Wind Speed and Direction
+unit=Kt
+cmap=perc2_9lev
+clevels=20,30,40,50,60,80,100,120,140
+c_bar_extend=max
 clable=True
 
 [u_cin]
-title="Convective Inhibition"
-unit="$J kg^{1}$"
-cmap="WhiteBlue"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
+title=Convective Inhibition
+unit=$J kg^{1}$
+cmap=WhiteBlue
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
 clable=True
 
 [u_cape]
-title="Convective Available Potential Energy"
-unit="$J kg^{1}$"
-cmap="matter"
-clevels="auto"
-c_bar_extend="both"
-clable=True
\ No newline at end of file
+title=Convective Available Potential Energy
+unit=$J kg^{1}$
+cmap=matter
+clevels=auto
+c_bar_extend=both
+clable=True
diff --git a/wrfplot/plot.py b/wrfplot/plot.py
index 0dbd8c7..240d778 100644
--- a/wrfplot/plot.py
+++ b/wrfplot/plot.py
@@ -127,8 +127,10 @@ def add_background(self):
     def add_cartopy_features(self):
         """Add cartopy features only for specific variables"""
         if self.var_name in ["slp", "mslp"]:
-            self.ax.add_feature(cf.LAND)
-            self.ax.add_feature(cf.OCEAN)
+            # self.ax.add_feature(cf.LAND)
+            # self.ax.add_feature(cf.OCEAN)
+            # Background colour is not made uniform. Hence removing it. 
+            pass
 
     def add_grids(self):
         """Add grid lines to plot"""
@@ -163,14 +165,14 @@ def get_clevels(self):
         """Get contour levels"""
         if self.clevels is not False and isinstance (self.clevels, list):
             return self.clevels
-        elif self.clevels is not False and isinstance (self.clevels, str):
+        elif self.clevels is not False and isinstance (self.clevels, int):
             self.clevels = utils.get_auto_clevel(self.data, scale=int(self.clevels))
         elif self.clevels == "auto":
             self.clevels = utils.get_auto_clevel(self.data)
 
     def plot_title(self):
         """Plot title for the given variable"""
-        title = json.loads(self.config.get(self.var_name, "title"))
+        title = self.config.get(self.var_name, "title")
         unit = self.config.get(self.var_name, "unit").replace('"', "")
         if self.ulevel is not None:
             title_text = (
@@ -179,9 +181,9 @@ def plot_title(self):
                 + unit
                 + ") at "
                 + str(self.ulevel)
-                + " hPa\nModel Run Hr : "
+                + " hPa\nCycle : "
                 + self.cycle
-                + " UTC  |  Fcst Hr : "
+                + " UTC  |  Validity : "
                 + self.fcst_hr
                 + " UTC"
             )
@@ -190,9 +192,9 @@ def plot_title(self):
                 title
                 + " ("
                 + unit
-                + ")\nModel Run Hr : "
+                + ")\nCycle  : "
                 + self.cycle
-                + " UTC  |  Fcst Hr : "
+                + " UTC  |  Validity : "
                 + self.fcst_hr
                 + " UTC"
             )
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ def get_cmap(self):
             self.cmap = utils.get_cmap(self.cmap)
             return True
         else:
-            cmap_name = json.loads(self.config.get(self.var_name, "cmap"))
+            cmap_name = self.config.get(self.var_name, "cmap")
         if cmap_name == "None":
             self.cmap = None
         else:
diff --git a/wrfplot/utils.py b/wrfplot/utils.py
index 700bc3d..6940380 100644
--- a/wrfplot/utils.py
+++ b/wrfplot/utils.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib import cm
 import os
+import sys
 import socket
 import colormaps as cmaps
 
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ def get_auto_clevel(data, scale=12, slp=False):
     Returns:
         list: The c_level in list and in increasing form
     """
-
+    
     c_levels = []
     max = data.max()
     min = data.min()
diff --git a/wrfplot/wrfplot.py b/wrfplot/wrfplot.py
index a9edac7..26518e7 100644
--- a/wrfplot/wrfplot.py
+++ b/wrfplot/wrfplot.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 import sys
 import argparse
 from tqdm import tqdm
-import netCDF4 as nc
+import netCDF4 as nc            
 import numpy as np
 import arguments
 from datetime import datetime
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 from importlib.metadata import version, PackageNotFoundError
 import _version
 import matplotlib
+from concurrent.futures import ProcessPoolExecutor, as_completed
 matplotlib.use("agg")
 warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", module="matplotlib")
 warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", module="datetime")
@@ -98,6 +99,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.file = fileio.FileIO(self.input_file)
         self.config = ConfigParser()
         self.config.read(os.path.join(utils.data_dir(), "wrf_variables.ini"))
+        self.wrf_var_dict = {s: dict(self.config.items(s)) for s in self.config.sections()} 
         self.dpi = dpi
         self.cmap = cmap
         self.U = None
@@ -253,26 +255,21 @@ def get_time_period(self):
 
     def plot_sfc(self):
         """Plot only surface data"""
-        pbar = tqdm(
-            range(0, len(self.date_time)),
-            desc="Plotting Variable : ",
-            leave=False,
-            colour="green",
-        )
-        pbar.write(
-            "\n*** Initialising plotting for variable : "
-            + utils.quote(self.var)
-            + " ***\n"
-        )
+        pbar = tqdm(range(0, len(self.date_time)), desc="Plotting Variable : ", leave=False, colour="green")
+        pbar.write("\n*** Initialising plotting for variable : {_var} ***\n".format(_var=utils.quote(self.var)))
         data_plot = None
         images = []
+        
         for index in pbar:
             _time = self.date_time[index]
             if self.var == "slp":
                 self.var_data = smooth2d(self.var_data, 3, cenweight=4)
                 self.clevels = utils.get_auto_clevel(self.var_data, slp=True)
             elif self.clevels is False:
-                self.clevels = json.loads(self.config.get(self.var, "clevels"))
+                default_clevels = self.config.get(self.var, "clevels")
+                if ',' in default_clevels:
+                    default_clevels = list(map(int, default_clevels.split(',')))
+                self.clevels = default_clevels      
 
             if data_plot is None:
                 data_plot = self.var_data
@@ -295,38 +292,24 @@ def plot_sfc(self):
     def plot_upper(self):
         """Plot only upper atmospheric data"""
         pressure = getvar(self.nc_fh, "pressure", ALL_TIMES)
-        self.clevels = json.loads(self.config.get(self.var, "clevels"))
+        # self.clevels = self.config.get(self.var, "clevels")
+        if self.clevels is False:
+            default_clevels = self.config.get(self.var, "clevels")
+            if ',' in default_clevels:
+                default_clevels = list(map(int, default_clevels.split(',')))
+            self.clevels = default_clevels
         u_var_data = self.var_data
         if self.U is not None and self.V is not None:
             u_var_u_data = self.U
             u_var_v_data = self.V
-        pbar_var = tqdm(
-            range(0, len(self.date_time)),
-            desc="Plotting Variable : ",
-            leave=False,
-            position=0,
-            colour="green",
-        )
-        pbar_var.write(
-            "\n*** Initialising plotting for variable : "
-            + utils.quote(self.var)
-            + " ***\n"
-        )
+        pbar_var = tqdm(range(0, len(self.date_time)), desc="Plotting Variable : ", leave=False, position=0, colour="green")
+        pbar_var.write("\n*** Initialising plotting for variable : {_var} ***\n".format(_var=utils.quote(self.var)))
         images = []
         for index in pbar_var:
             _time = self.date_time[index]
             # Must initialise the bar inside time loop so that range is set every time entering into outer loop
-            pbar_lvl = tqdm(
-                self.ulevels,
-                desc="Plotting Level : ",
-                leave=False,
-                position=1,
-                colour="blue",
-            )
-
-            pbar_var.write(
-                "\tPlotting " + utils.quote(self.var) + " for Time: " + _time
-            )
+            pbar_lvl = tqdm(self.ulevels, desc="Plotting Level : ", leave=False, position=1, colour="blue")
+            pbar_var.write("\tPlotting " + utils.quote(self.var) + " for Time: " + _time)
             pbar_var.set_description("Overall Progress :", refresh=True)
             for self.ulevel in pbar_lvl:
                 self.var_data = interplevel(u_var_data, pressure, self.ulevel)
@@ -423,7 +406,7 @@ def convert_unit(self, data):
             return convert.k_to_c(data)
         elif self.var in ["low_cloudfrac", "mid_cloudfrac", "high_cloudfrac"]:
             return np.round(data * 100)
-        elif self.var == "winds":
+        elif self.var in ["winds", 'u_winds']:
             return convert.ms_to_kts(data)
         else:
             return data
@@ -434,7 +417,7 @@ def list_projs(self):
 
     def get_title(self, var):
         """Get title from config file"""
-        return json.loads(self.config.get(var, "title"))
+        return self.config.get(var, "title")
 
     def get_unit(self):
         """Get unit from config file"""