CLOUDS API Usage Limits & Policy
Data Use Structure
Data Use is in terms of Data Points, which is defined as a single parameter for a single location for a single time interval
To calculate Data Points: # Data Points = (# Parameters) x (# Locations) x (# Intervals in requested period). For example:- 2 parameters from 42 stations every 1 hour for a 1-day period = 2 x 42 x (24/1) = 2,016 Data Points
- 2 parameters from 42 stations every 3 hours for a 1-day period = 2 x 42 x (24/3) = 672 Data Points
- 2 parameters from 42 stations every 3 hour for a 30-day period = 2 x 42 x ((24/3)*30) = 20,160 Data Points
| Name | Public Access Tier | Government and Education Access Tier | NC State Univ. + NC A&T Univ. Access Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Public Tier Free Access Includes 300,000 Data Points | .GOV or .EDU email required
Free Access Includes 600,000 Data Points | NCSU.EDU or NCAT.EDU email required Free Access Includes 1,000,000 Data Points |
| Data Points Limit | 300,000 monthly25,000 per request | 600,000 monthly30,000 per request | 1,000,000 monthly30,000 per request |
| Request Limits | 2,000 monthly | 4,000 monthly | 3,000 monthly |
| Date Last Updated | March 4 2021 | March 4 2021 | March 4 2021 |
Controlled access to this application programming interface (API) data service via registration is required, due to the constraints of data access on servers and support personnel of the North Carolina State Climate Office (NCSCO). A NCSCO ID user account, and its associated user hash, are required to access the API. Self-signup can be done at https://accounts.climate.ncsu.edu. Once provided with a hash, API hashes (or keys) may NOT be shared with other users.
Users may not redistribute their access credentials or raw data accessed to third-parties. Data obtained by this data service may not be distributed or displayed for commercial use. This data is intended to be used by governmental agencies to protect lives and property, the public for general information, and educational institutions for instructional and research purposes. By obtaining access, you agree to these terms. Users who violate these terms may have their access, hash keys, and/or accounts revoked.
Data Disclaimer
The data provided to the North Carolina State Climate Office (NCSCO) are made available by a collection of weather network providers including government agencies, educational institutions, and private companies. This data is intended to be used by: governmental agencies to protect lives and property, the public for general information, and educational institutions for instructional and research purposes. Other uses of the data provided by the NCSCO requires written approval, either from the NCSCO or the originating data source.
As data used in the product is continuously updating and relies on other sources, information accessible by this data service may not always be available or current. The user assumes the risks relate to the use of the data. The data is provided "as is", and the originating data sources nor the NCSCO are not liable for any damages arising out of the use of this data. While the NCSCO strives to provide good data, there is no guarantee of the accuracy or reliability of the data provided.
Attributions
Publication Attributions
Authors of research publications that depend upon substantial use of data should acknowledge the data service by including a statement such as:
Website Attribution
This study was made possible in part due to the data provided by the North Carolina State Climate Office.
Similarly, it is requested that an attribute for the data providers should be made when appropriate, such as:
This study was made possible in part due to the data provided by the specific sources or agency.
Websites that use the API product should acknowledge the data provided by the NCSCO by including a link to our website at climate.ncsu.edu, in addition to a statement such as:
Data provided by the North Carolina State Climate Office