What this API does
The Weather.gov API, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), serves as an authoritative source for US weather data. It provides developers with access to real-time weather observations, seven-day forecasts, radar data, and severe weather alerts based on GPS coordinates or grid points. The API supports JSON format for seamless integration within applications.
How it works
To use the Weather.gov API, developers send HTTP GET requests to specific endpoints designed for weather observations, forecasts, and alerts. The API returns data in JSON format, which can be easily processed in various programming environments, including web and mobile applications. Key functionality includes accessing current conditions, detailed forecasts, and significant weather alerts based on locations specified by GPS.
Authentication
No authentication is required to access the Weather.gov API. Developers can utilize any endpoint without the need for API keys or account signup, allowing for immediate implementation in applications.
Example usage
/api/v2/alerts/active- Retrieves current active weather alerts./api/v2/forecast/GPS_COORDINATES- Fetches the seven-day forecast based on specified GPS coordinates./api/v2/weather/GPS_COORDINATES- Retrieves current weather conditions for specific coordinates./api/v2/radar/POINT- Accesses radar imagery for a specified point or area.
Limits
The API allows up to 5,000 requests per hour, providing ample capacity for most application needs.
Ideal use cases
- Integrating weather data into mobile applications for user notifications.
- Developing web applications that require dynamic weather updates and alerts.
- Creating tools for analyzing weather patterns based on historical data.
- Building local weather station applications based on federal data sources.