Forecasts with an API

[prodata]

Happened across this website today: https://openweather.co.uk/

Maybe it's well-known, but new to me and an interesting example of the new breed of sites that provide forecasts with an API that is not just for those with deep pockets. Notable for being London-based and free to use for low-volume, individual access. In a nutshell: 'OpenWeather provides weather data for any location on the globe using a proprietary ML-powered hyperlocal forecasting model with resolution from 500 m to 2 km, globally.' More detail about the model process at: https://openweather.co.uk/technology.

Now to think how to make use of it. Would be nice to compare actual and forecast values eg temperature over time and apply some machine learning to fine-tune the forecast values, ie kind of like WXSIM but using AI to apply the corrections rather than Tom's careful analysis.

[water01]

Isn't this the same site that CumulusMX has an interface with called OpenWeatherMap?

[prodata]

Isn't this the same site that CumulusMX has an interface with called OpenWeatherMap?

Very probably, in which case I'm obviously not up-to-date with this feature. But I guess I'm thinking more of being able to bring the forecast into software (does CMX do this? I'm not aware) and then being able to analyse forecast vs predicted and apply corrections.

[water01]

No CumulusMX doesn't do that but a number of users including myself provide data to the Site.

[prodata]

No CumulusMX doesn't do that but a number of users including myself provide data to the Site.

OK, so this is pushing your data to the site in a similar way to WOW, WU etc, rather than pulling in the forecast data.

[water01]

Yes at 10 minute intervals.

[PaulMy]

Like David, I have the API key and Station ID and am on their map and showing my CMX uploaded data. Haven't figured out what else to do with it though!
John's suggestion would be neat to compare the recent daily forecasts to actual (which I am doing semi-automatic now).

Enjoy,
Paul

[HansR]

But it does say:

The model uses a number of data sources - radars, models from global meteorological agencies (e.g., Met Office, NOAA, ECMWF), weather satellites, and a vast network of weather stations.

So if I interpret this well I would say it takes the basis of ECMWF and adjusts it every 10 minutes with weather station data. As such I think it does something like what John asks for CMX:

But I guess I'm thinking more of being able to bring the forecast into software (does CMX do this? I'm not aware) and then being able to analyse forecast vs predicted and apply corrections.

CMX does not do this but I think that site applies the corrections itself and adjusts the model of ECMWF (which is already very good) every 10 minutes on the basis of PWS's of which receives the data.

Not sure if that would improve the predictions btw as PWS's can be very different from the official measurements. Especially wrt wind.

[HansR]

It btw is a pretty extensive API returning the forecasts e.g. the 16 day forecast wich supplies basically everything you measure with your PWS and it updates every 10 minutes if I understand it well.

[EDIT:]

OK, so this is pushing your data to the site in a similar way to WOW, WU etc, rather than pulling in the forecast data.

No, you can pull the forecast from the site using the API

[EDIT:]
And btw I use a similar but less advanced API (scroll down to: API - Access to xml) in CUtils. For what it's worth.

[prodata]

No, you can pull the forecast from the site using the API

Yes, that was the main point of my post. It's not easy to find such a service without paying high commercial rates, though I think yr.no may do something similar. But I think other people were confirming that CMX pushes data to the map but does not import the forecast data.

[HansR]

But I think other people were confirming that CMX pushes data to the map but does not import the forecast data.

Yes

[Mapantz]

It would be pretty cool if CMX did have something like this implemented?! A current conditions icon and text, with a 3 day outlook..

[prodata]

It would be pretty cool if CMX did have something like this implemented?! A current conditions icon and text, with a 3 day outlook..

Yes, indeed. But I think one problem might be whether it could be done via just a single account at openweather, though maybe they might be open to discussion for a worthwhile cause like CMX. but another alternative might be for individual users to have their own (free) account and then requests for forecast data would be made via their own individual credentials.

[broadstairs]

I am a tad puzzled by this site as so far I've not found out how to sign up for a free account. I must admit I'm not a fan of providing my data to commercial organisations with nothing in return so I will not be doing that.

One thing I should point out is that WXSim now has the capability to use free ECMWF data as well as the GFS data it has always used. In my experience use of this ECMWF data has improved my WXSim forecasts although the mix ratio has not yet been completely settled on.

Stuart

[Mapantz]

I am a tad puzzled by this site as so far I've not found out how to sign up for a free account.

https://openweathermap.org/