Forecast Variables
All forecast data is generated using Weather Central’s proprietary forecasting SuperMicrocast technology. This model offers some of the highest resolution forecast data available with resolutions down to 1km per gridpoint of data. Additionally Weather Central runs interpolation between gridpoints so the forecasts area truly specific to the latitude longitude pair you are requesting.
API Query:
datatype=forecast&var=accumicetotal
This is the accumulated freezing rain accumulation forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model over the forecast period. Freezing Rain occurs when the air is above freezing but the ground is below freezing so the rain freezes to surfaces such as trees and roadways upon contact. This is a cumulative product so the data return by both the point and tile requests in an indication of how much freezing rain has fallen since the beginning of the model run (represented by the starttime attribute of the hourly or daily point xml return). The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example:
Tile Data Example:
API Query:
datatype=forecast&var=accumraintotal
This is the accumulated rain forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model over the forecast period. This is a cumulative product so the data return by both the point and tile requests in an indication of how much rain has fallen since the beginning of the model run (represented by the starttime attribute of the hourly or daily point xml return). The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example:
Tile Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=accumsnowtotal
This is the accumulated snow forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model over the forecast period. This is a cumulative product so the data return by both the point and tile requests in an indication of how much rain has fallen since the beginning of the model run (represented by the starttime attribute of the hourly or daily point xml return). The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=clouds
This is the cloud coverage factor forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model. More information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page. The resolution of this product is 12km.
Point Data Example:
Tile Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=dewpoint
The temperature variable represents the dewpoint forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at two meters above ground level. The dewpoint is a measure of the total amount of moisture in the atmosphere.
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The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example:
Tile Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=feelslike
Feelslike is a value added weather variable that takes multiple weather factors such as wind speed, humidity, and temperature to determine what the weather “Feels-like” on your skin. This is essentially a merged wind chill and heat index so that it can be used in all seasons. The resolution of this variable is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=reflectivity
Reflectivity is a product that includes both the type and the intensity of the forecast precipitation for a given hour. Snowfall is represented by blue, Mixed precipitation is represented by pinks and purples, light rain is represented by greens, and heavier rain is represented by yellows, oranges, and reds. This dataset is only available in the tile request at this time.
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=reflectivity_w_clouds
This is a combination of the Reflectivity and Clouds products to make your requests more efficient if you want to show both variables on one map. This request is only available in tile format.
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=relativehumdity
Relative humidity is a pure measure of how much moisture is in the atmosphere vs. how much moisture the atmosphere can sustain. It is defined as a percentage from 0-100% For more reading please click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity
The resolution of this variable is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=high_clouds
This variable provides a forecast for how much relative humidity or moisture there is at the jet stream level of the atmosphere. This is a good measurement of the amount of high cloud coverage is forecasted. This is specifically the percentage of relative humidity that is at the 300 millibar height in the atmosphere, which is a unit of air pressure. At the surface the air pressure is approximately 1000 mllib ars so the 300 millibar level would be the point in the atmosphere where the air pressure is 30% what it is at the surface, or approximately 30,000 ft (9,300 meters).
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=mid_level_clouds1
This variable provides a forecast for how much relative humidity or moisture there is at the upper mid level of the atmosphere. This is a good measurement of the amount of upper mid level cloud coverage is forecasted. This is specifically the percentage of relative humidity that is at the 500 millibar height in the atmosphere, which is a unit of air pressure. At the surface the air pressure is approximately 1000 mllibars so the 500 millibar level would be the point in the atmosphere where the air pressure is 50% what it is at the surface, or approximately 18,000 ft (5,500 meters).
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=mid_level_clouds2
This variable provides a forecast for how much relative humidity or moisture there is at the lower mid level of the atmosphere. This is a good measurement of the amount of lower mid level cloud coverage is forecasted. This is specifically the percentage of relative humidity that is at the 700 millibar height in the atmosphere, which is a unit of air pressure. At the surface the air pressure is approximately 1000 mllibars so the 700 millibar level would be the point in the atmosphere where the air pressure is 70% what it is at the surface, or approximately 10,000 ft (3,100 meters).
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=low_clouds
This variable provides a forecast for how much relative humidity or moisture there is at the lower mid level of the atmosphere. This is a good measurement of the amount of low level cloud coverage is forecasted. This is specifically the percentage of relative humidity that is at the 850 millibar height in the atmosphere, which is a unit of air pressure. At the surface the air pressure is approximately 1000 millibars so the 850 millibar level would be the point in the atmosphere where the air pressure is 85% what it is at the surface, or approximately 5,000 ft (1,500 meters).
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=supercellindex
Supercell index is a pure measurement of the potential of severe thunderstorms. This index is measured between 0-100. Even small values represent that there is a change that damaging thunderstorms could occur for that particular hour.
A general rule of thumb for this variable would be
0 Severe Thunderstorms unlikely
1-25 general thunderstorms possible, some could be severe.
25-50 a slight risk that you will see damaging winds, severe hail or tornados
50-75 a moderate risk that you will see damaging winds, severe hail or tornados
75-100 a high risk that you will see damaging winds, severe hail or tornados
The resolution of this variable is 12km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=temperature
The temperature variable represents the air temperature forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at two meters above ground level. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=trafficindex
The Traffic Index is a unique variable which Weather Central has created which quantifies the weather impact on road speeds. This is a slowdown percentage for the particular hour which is based on rain, snow, accumulations, road temperature, wind speed, time of day, and mountainous terrain. A value of 0 would represent no weather impact, a value of 50 would represent traffic moving at about half the speed they normally would, and a value of 100 would represent traffic at a crawl (holding all other non-weather related variables equal). The resolution of this data is 12km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=winddirection_10m
The wind direction variable represents the direction the wind is coming from at 10 meters above the surface. A North Wind would be represented by 0, East Wind by 90, South wind by 180, and West wind by 270. This data is only accessible by the point request type. The resolution of the data is 1km.
Point Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windspeed_10m
The wind speed variable represents the wind speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at ten meters above ground level for a given hour. Wind is officially measured at ten meters above the ground to avoid the frictional effects of the objects on the ground such as buildings and trees. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windgust_10m
The wind gusts variable represents the wind gust speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at ten meters above ground level for a given hour. Wind is officially measured at ten meters above the ground to avoid the frictional effects of the objects on the ground such as buildings and trees. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=winddirection_60m
The wind direction variable represents the direction the wind is coming from at 60 meters above the surface. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. A North Wind would be represented by 0, East Wind by 90, South wind by 180, and West wind by 270. This data is only accessible by the point request type. The resolution of the data is 1km.
Point Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windspeed_60m
The wind speed variable represents the wind speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at 60 meters above ground level for a given hour. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windgust_60m
The wind gusts variable represents the wind gust speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model 60 meters above ground level for a given hour. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=winddirection_120m
The wind direction variable represents the direction the wind is coming from at 60 meters above the surface. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. A North Wind would be represented by 0, East Wind by 90, South wind by 180, and West wind by 270. This data is only accessible by the point request type. The resolution of the data is 1km.
Point Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windspeed_120m
The wind speed variable represents the wind speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model at 60 meters above ground level for a given hour. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=windgust_120m
The wind gusts variable represents the wind gust speed forecasted by the SuperMicrocast Model 120 meters above ground level for a given hour. This is specifically useful for the wind energy industry to help with maintenance planning and energy yield forecasting. The resolution of this product is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=summary
The summary variable is only accessible by the point request type and provides a summary for the time period of all the commonly accessible variables. This serves as a easy way to batch a variable request.
The summary request will return all of the following variables
- Temperature
- Feels Like Temperature
- Dewpoint
- Relative Humidity
- Surface Wind Direction
- Surface Wind Speed
- Cloud Cover
- Accumulated Rain Total
- Accumulated Snow Total
- Accumulated Ice Total
- Sky Icon (For more information see the available weather icon section)
Point Data Example
- Temperature
- Feels Like Temperature
- Dewpoint
- Relative Humidity
- Surface Wind Direction
- Surface Wind Speed
- Cloud Cover
- Accumulated Rain Total
- Accumulated Snow Total
- Accumulated Ice Total
- Daily Surface Wind Direction Summary
- Daily Cloud Summary
- Daily Sky Icon (For more information see the available weather icon section)
Point Data Example
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=pop
Probability of Precipitation measures the chance of precipitation occurring within a 60 mile radius around a specified lat/lon point. It is defined as a percentage from 0-100%.
The resolution of this variable is 1km.
Point Data Example
Tile Data Example
The UV Index forecasts the level of intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation that may reach the earth’s surface and pose health risks to people who are overexposed. The UV Index is derived from the 0.5° GFS model and is updated four times a day. Hourly forecasts are available out to 96 hours. UV Index values are unitless and typically range from 0 to 15. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
Tile Data Example:
The Wave Height data is derived from the NOAA Multi-wave Wavewatch III model. The data is a composite of a global 30 minute grid (~55-kilometers) and regional 10 minute and 4 minute grids (~18-kilometers and ~7-kilometers, respectively). Forecasts are available out to 126 hours, except 84 hours for the Great Lakes. The Wave Height is the significant height due to both wind waves and swells. Wave Height values are in feet and typically range from 0 to 20. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
The Wave Period data is derived from the NOAA Multi-wave Wavewatch III model. The data is a composite of a global 30 minute grid (~55-kilometers) and regional 10 minute and 4 minute grids (~18-kilometers and ~7-kilometers, respectively). Forecasts are available out to 126 hours, except 84 hours for the Great Lakes. The Wave Period identifies either the period (the time between waves) associated with the locally generated wind sea (in cases with strong local winds) or the dominant wave system (swell) that is generated elsewhere. Wave Period values are in seconds and typically range from 0 to 20. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=wavedirection
The Wave Direction data is derived from the NOAA Multi-wave Wavewatch III model. The data is a composite of a global 30 minute grid (~55-kilometers) and regional 10 minute and 4 minute grids (~18-kilometers and ~7-kilometers, respectively). Forecasts are available out to 126 hours, except 84 hours for the Great Lakes. The Wave Direction identifies the directional movement of the wave systems. Wave Direction is in degrees from 0 to 360. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=primarywavedirection
The Primary Wave Direction data is derived from the NOAA Multi-wave Wavewatch III model. The data is a composite of a global 30 minute grid (~55-kilometers) and regional 10 minute and 4 minute grids (~18-kilometers and ~7-kilometers, respectively). Forecasts are available out to 126 hours, except 84 hours for the Great Lakes. The Primary Wave Direction identifies the directional movement of the primary wave swells. Primary Wave Direction is in degrees from 0 to 360. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
API Query: datatype=forecast&var=primarywaveperiod
The Primary Wave Period data is derived from the NOAA Multi-wave Wavewatch III model. The data is a composite of a global 30 minute grid (~55-kilometers) and regional 10 minute and 4 minute grids (~18-kilometers and ~7-kilometers, respectively). Forecasts are available out to 126 hours, except 84 hours for the Great Lakes. The Primary Wave Period is the time between waves of the dominant wave system (swell) that is being generated. Primary Wave Period values are in seconds and typically range from 0 to 20. Information on what the values represent can be found in the unit explanation page.
Point Data Example:
