--- url: "https://predictiontoolkit.com/tools/nws-weather-api/" publisher: "PredictionToolkit" dateModified: "2026-11-03" --- [← Weather research]() ![National Weather Service API logo]() Data API # National Weather Service API The National Weather Service API provides documented endpoints for official U.S. forecasts, observations and alerts. It is an external data input for weather-event research, with formats such as GeoJSON rather than prediction-market order execution. [**4.0**/ 5Editorial rating]() [Editorial assessment]() [Read official NWS API documentation]() www.weather.gov **Available on:** API **Pricing:** [See plans and costs ↓]() [Screenshots]() [Explore alternatives]() **Availability: public** [Weather research]() [Data APIs]() ## Screenshots and interface Product preview1 / 1 Official API access guidance and specification. ## What is National Weather Service API? Forecasts and observations answer different questions. A contract on a daily maximum can specify a station, local reporting day and settlement publication that a nearby forecast grid does not reproduce. Map the intended location to the correct forecast or station endpoint, then preserve the observation’s units and timestamp. Official guidance covers representations, content negotiation, caching, feature flags, rate limits and outages. Access is free subject to reasonable unpublished rate limits, and requests require a descriptive User-Agent. Follow the access and authentication documentation and validate timestamps, missing observations and update cadence for the research task. ### Who it is for - For developers building U.S. weather tools and researchers comparing forecasts with observations. ## Data and API methods - **Official forecast, alert and observation endpoints** Retrieve documented weather data and select the location, station and data family appropriate to the question. - **Machine-readable representations** Use GeoJSON or other documented representations and follow content-negotiation and header requirements. - **Operational guidance** Read caching, rate-limit, feature-flag and outage guidance when building a recurring data feed. ## Integration tasks ### Map the intended weather location Follow official examples to connect a location to the appropriate forecast or station data, then validate units and timestamps. ### Check the contract’s specified source A weather reading serves as settlement evidence only when its station, units and reporting period fit the contract's named source and required publication. Establish that match before using the value to interpret the outcome. ## Pricing and total cost Official documentation states access is free, subject to reasonable unpublished rate limits. A descriptive User-Agent is required; follow the documentation for authentication and content negotiation. ## API access and setup 1. Read official examples and the API specification and identify the required location, station and data type. 2. Use documented headers and caching behavior and validate timestamps and units against the research and contract requirements. Requests need a descriptive User-Agent and must follow documented authentication and content-negotiation requirements. ## Useful links ### What to check - A forecast is not a final observed settlement value. Geographic coverage, station choice, missing readings and update timing all matter; a nearby grid does not reproduce every contract’s reporting day or settlement publication. A closer look ## Ratings & reviews Editorial rating **4.0**/ 5 0 user reviews PredictionToolkit editorial ### Our take on National Weather Service API NWS is a strong source for documented U.S. weather data; choosing it does not by itself resolve a contract's evidence requirements. The station, measured quantity and reporting window still have to match the particular question. **Assessment criteria:** Task usefulness, documented scope, setup clarity, and access and cost transparency. **Assessment date:** 2026-10-26 **Documentation reviewed:** 2026-10-26 Documentation-based assessment. [How we rate]() ### User reviews 0 The main score switches to user ratings after 5 published reviews. **Be the first to share your experience** A specific example helps the next person choose the right tool. ## Related tools [Browse category]() ![FRED Economic Data public homepage with data search, tags and chart access.]() ![FRED Economic Data logo]()[FRED Economic Data]() Research tool**4.0**Editorial Economic-data search and history for checking the precise measure behind a macro contract. - Access Web Combine separately defined weather and economic data for broader event research. ![Climate Sight station report with settlement references and a market summary.]() ![Climate Sight logo]()[Climate Sight]() Research tool**3.5**Editorial Weather-contract research organized by observation station, market date and settlement references. - Access Web Also in Weather Research and Data for Prediction Markets. ![FactsAI official research API presentation]() ![FactsAI logo]()[FactsAI]() Data API**3.5**Editorial A prepaid research API for cited factual answers, with source checking left to the research workflow. - Access API Find contextual sources while retaining official observations as primary data. ## Frequently asked questions about National Weather Service API ### Can a forecast replace the final settlement observation? No. Match the specified station, measure, reporting window and settlement publication; forecasts and observations serve different purposes. In this profile