National Digital Forecast Database Web Service Use Guidelines
Access to the services is through an infrastructure with
limited resources. As the popularity of the service has grown, NWS has added
capacity as resources allow. A challenge of offering these services is also a
strength: the creativity of our customers to use these services in ways never
imagined. This creativity can also strain our resources at times. Below are
some guidelines of use:
- It is recommended a client not make more than one request
every five seconds;
- The forecast data is updated no more than once an hour:
never request for the same location more than once an hour;
- Please request data for only elements (hourly temp, max
temp, wind speed, etc) that you need;
Consider using the optional degrib interface to provide XML
data on your local systems if:
- You have built a system that generates revenue and you
want to assure your customers high availability;
- If you need to make more than 720 queries of the service
in an hour;
- If you have created a client application, like a desk top
widget that uses the service and you want to ensure customer access;
- If you have developed an application that is mission
critical to your operations.
The degrib interface allows for the download of the raw
binary forecast data and the running of the degrib client that will output the
same XML code as the Internet based web service.
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