How do the JSON and Object and description table of Meteomatics weather API function?

The Meteomatics weather API provides a wealth of weather data in a variety of formats, one of which is an object table. This format allows developers to easily access and manipulate the data using programming languages such as Python or R. Additionally, the API also allows for the data to be returned in a JSON format, which is a lightweight, human-readable data interchange format. In this article, I will clarify the specific structure and contents of the object table and JSON output provided by the Meteomatics weather API, so that developers can more effectively utilize the data in their projects.

Object and Description of API

ObjectsDescription
versionAPI version
useruser ID
dateGeneratedAPI request timestamp
statusAPI status
parameterrequested weather parameter (wind speed, instant temperature, min temperature, max temperature, UV index, sunset, sunrise, precipitation, etc.)
coordinateslatitude and longitude
latlatitude value
lonlongitude value
datedate
valueparameter value
  1. version: This object represents the version of the API that is being used. It helps to identify the specific version of the API that is being used, which can be useful for troubleshooting or for determining if a certain feature is available.

  2. user: This object represents the user ID of the person or organization that is making the request to the API. This can be used for tracking and billing purposes.

  3. dateGenerated: This object represents the timestamp at which the API request was made. It is useful for understanding when the data was last updated, and for determining how recent the data is.

  4. status: This object represents the status of the API request. The status can be one of several possible values, such as "success" or "failure", and can be used to determine if the request was successful and if the data returned is valid.

  5. parameter: This object represents the weather parameter that was requested. Possible values can be wind speed, instant temperature, min temperature, max temperature, UV index, sunset, sunrise, precipitation and etc. It describes what data the request is looking for.

  6. coordinates: This object represents the latitude and longitude of the location for which weather data is being requested. The coordinates can be used to identify the specific location for which data is being provided.

  7. lat: This object represents the latitude value of the location for which weather data is being requested. It is used in conjunction with the longitude value to pinpoint a location on the earth.

  8. lon: This object represents the longitude value of the location for which weather data is being requested. It is used in conjunction with the latitude value to pinpoint a location on the earth.

  9. date: This object represents the date for which weather data is being requested. It can be used to identify the specific date for which data is being provided.

  10. value: This object represents the value of the weather parameter that was requested. It contains the actual value of the parameter that was requested in the API call such as the temperature, wind speed or precipitation amount.

The information in the table is useful because it provides a detailed understanding of the various objects that are returned by the API in the object table and JSON format. The objects provide information about the specific data that was requested, such as the weather parameter, location, and date. Additionally, the objects also provide information about the API request itself, such as the API version, user ID, and timestamp. This information can be used to track and understand the data that is returned by the API, and can also be used for troubleshooting and debugging if there are any issues with the API or the data that it returns. Furthermore, by understanding the parameters, developers can optimize their request and only retrieve the required data, which results in better usage of resources and time, and also can be helpful in understanding the context of the returned data.

JSON output

This JSON output represents the result of a weather API request, which contains multiple pieces of data, including the version of the API that was used, the user who made the request, the timestamp at which the request was made, and the status of the request. The JSON also contains an array of data objects, each of which represents a specific weather parameter.

The first object in the array contains information about the weather parameter "t_2m:C", which is the temperature at 2 meters above ground level. The object includes an array of coordinates, each of which represents a specific location, including the latitude and longitude. Within each coordinates, an array of "dates" objects are included, each of which represents a specific date and its corresponding "value" in degrees Celsius.

The second object in the array contains information about the weather parameter "relative_humidity_2m:p", which is the relative humidity at 2 meters above ground level. Similarly, this object includes an array of coordinates, each of which represents a specific location, including the latitude and longitude, and an array of "dates" objects, each of which represents a specific date and its corresponding "value" in percentage.

This JSON provides multiple sets of data, allowing a user to query multiple parameters at different locations and different time, the data structure provides clear distinction between the parameter, location and date which makes it easier to understand the context of the data provided.

{
"version": "3.0",
"user": "user",
"dateGenerated": "2021-09-20T09:01:10Z",
"status": "OK",
"data": [
{
"parameter": "t_2m:C",
"coordinates": [
{
"lat": 50.23,
"lon": 10.23,
"dates": [
{
"date": "2021-09-20T00:00:00Z",
"value": 10
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T01:00:00Z",
"value": 9
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T02:00:00Z",
"value": 9.4
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T03:00:00Z",
"value": 9.4
}
]
},
{
"lat": 40.23,
"lon": 20.12,
"dates": [
{
"date": "2021-09-20T00:00:00Z",
"value": 18.2
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T01:00:00Z",
"value": 18.1
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T02:00:00Z",
"value": 17.6
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T03:00:00Z",
"value": 17.2
}
]
}
]
},
{
"parameter": "relative_humidity_2m:p",
"coordinates": [
{
"lat": 50.23,
"lon": 10.23,
"dates": [
{
"date": "2021-09-20T00:00:00Z",
"value": 77.6
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T01:00:00Z",
"value": 79.8
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T02:00:00Z",
"value": 78
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T03:00:00Z",
"value": 78.1
}
]
},
{
"lat": 40.23,
"lon": 20.12,
"dates": [
{
"date": "2021-09-20T00:00:00Z",
"value": 99.9
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T01:00:00Z",
"value": 97.7
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T02:00:00Z",
"value": 97.5
},
{
"date": "2021-09-20T03:00:00Z",
"value": 98.3
}
]
}
]
}
]
}

Conclusion

In summary, the information provided in this conversation gives an overview of the Meteomatics weather API's object table and JSON output format. The object table and JSON output contain detailed information about the specific data that was requested, such as the weather parameter, location, and date, and they also include information about the API request itself, such as the API version, user ID, and timestamp. The objects and their properties within the JSON are explained, including the use and structure of the data provided. Understanding this information can help developers effectively utilize the data in their projects, and understand the context of the data provided, it can also help to troubleshoot any issues that may arise when working with the API.

Note

The Meteomatics weather API is a powerful tool that provides a wide range of weather data in a variety of formats, including an object table and JSON output. However, in order to access this API, you may need to first request access through a third-party data marketplace, Worldindata. A data marketplace acts as a intermediary that provides a platform for companies to access and purchase data from multiple providers, such as Meteomatics, using a centralized platform.

Worldindata is an example of a data marketplace where you can request access to the Meteomatics weather API. By going through the data marketplace Worldindata, you can easily access the Meteomatics weather API and all the data it provides, but also ensures that the data provider Meteomatics have a method to track their usage and billing.