Data elements

2016-11-11

Forecast elements

The exact list of forecast elements available can be retrieved via the API itself. However, here are some common elements and their available vertical levels:

Note: Some elements are available only at certain levels.

Element	Description	Levels	Default	Notes
DPT	Dew Point Temperature	`GND` only	`GND`
GUST	Wind Speed (Gust)	`GND` only	`GND`
HGT	Geopotential Height	Any level	`GND`
PRES	Pressure	`GND` only	`GND`
PRMSL	Pressure Reduced to MSL	Any level	`GND`	¹
RH	Relative Humidity	`GND` or any atmospheric level	`GND`	²
TCDC	Total Cloud Cover	Any level	`GND`	³
TMP	Temperature	`GND` or any atmospheric level	`GND`	²
UGRD	U-Component of Wind	`GND` or any atmospheric level	`GND`	²
VGRD	V-Component of Wind	`GND` or any atmospheric level	`GND`	²

¹ It always returns MSL pressure regardless of the level specified.
² For datums of meteorological interest and cloud datums, this is an indirect request behind the scenes, which is noticeably slower.
³ It always returns whole atmosphere total cloud cover regardless of the level specified.

METAR and TAF data

METAR and TAF reports are available for a large number of reporting stations worldwide. Reports for the last 72 hours are accessible via the service, and can be recalled either by giving the specific ICAO identifiers of the desired stations or a search area in the form of geographical coordinates and a search radius. More details are available at the API description page.

Astronomical data

We provide rise and set times for the sun and the moon as well as their direction and elevation relative to an observer, in order to complement our offerings for those customers for whom this information is relevant, such as in navigation and energy applications.

More information

Detailed information on the characteristics of specific data elements and how to access them, may be found in the API description.