High-altitude Airspace Weather Data
API Documentation
We offer a lineup of global upper-air and lower-air meteorological data. In addition to our proprietary analysis data for aviation operations, we can also integrate and provide the latest information from specialized agencies around the world. We cover key elements critical for aircraft operations, including turbulence, icing, and convective clouds, as well as wind, temperature, humidity, and altitude.
Dataset
Spatial Resolution
Time Resolution
Update Frequency
Time Range
(WAFC Washington/London via WIFS、WAFC London via SADIS.）
（ICE/CB/TURB）
0.25 degree
3 hours
4 times/1 day
From 6 to 36 hours ahead
(WAFC Washington/London via WIFS、WAFC Washington via SADIS.）
（UGRD、VGRD、TMP、RH、HGT）
1.25 degree
3 hours
4 times/1 day
From 6 to 36 hours ahead
Relevant area / point
minute-level data
minute-level data
From 4 to 6 hours ahead
Observation
Point
Hour-level data
Every 30 minutes or hourly,with special reports
Observation
Forecast
Point
Hour-level data
4 times/1 day,with special reports
Up to 24/30 hours ahead
Short-Term Forecast
0.25 degree
1 hour
hourly; TURB every 10 minutes
Up to 6 hours ahead
Long-Range Forecast
1.25 degree
1 hour
4 times/1 day
Up to 48 hours ahead
World Area Forecast System Data（ICE/CB/TURB）
This data divides the globe into a latitude–longitude grid, with each grid point representing the following elements on multiple pressure levels.
Element
Unit
CB（Cumulonimbus）
CBHE：Cumulonimbus Extent
％
*At each grid point, the coverage of cumulonimbus clouds is expressed as a percentage.
Cumulonimbus Base and Top ICAHT：ICAO Height
m
ICE（Icing）
The categories relate to an Icing Intensity Index
0 = NIL 1 = TRACE 2 = LIGHT 3 = MODERATE 4 = SEVERE
TURB（Turbulence）
EDR： Eddy Dissipation Rate
EDR ≤ 0.1 = nil 0.1 < EDR ≤ 0.2 = Light 0.2 < EDR ≤ 0.45 =Moderate EDR > 0.45 = Severe
*The exact thresholds are adjusted according to the aircraft’s flight level and operational conditions.
World Area Forecast System Data（UGRD、VGRD、TMP、RH、HGT）
This data divides the globe into a latitude–longitude grid, with each grid point representing the following elements on multiple pressure levels.
Element
Unit
Wind
UGRD：U-component of Wind
*The east–west component of the wind. Positive values indicate wind toward the east, while negative values indicate wind toward the west.
m/s
VGRD：V-component of Wind
The north–south component of the wind. Positive values indicate wind toward the north, while negative values indicate wind toward the south.
m/s
TMP
Temperature
K
RH
Relative Humidity
％
HGT
Geopotential Height
*Altitude at each pressure level for every grid point, used to analyze pressure tendencies and atmospheric flow with height contours.
gpm
*geopotential meters
Significant Meteorological Information（SIGMET）
This data provides key meteorological elements observed and forecasted primarily above 10,000 feet (approximately 3,048 meters) for safe aircraft operations, presented in a concise text format for up to 4–6 hours ahead.
Element
Unit
SIGMET for Volcanic Ash
VA SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WV” Example:WVJP31 RJTD 140009 RJJJ SIGMET N01 VALID 140009/140609 RJTD- RJJJ FUKUOKA FIR MT SAKURAJIMA (AIRA CALDERA) PSN N3136 E13039 VA CLD OBS AT 2334Z N3140E13042 FL050 MOV NE=
SIGMET for Tropical Cyclone
TC SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WC” Example:WCCI35 ZGGG 132347 ZGZU SIGMET 13 VALID 140000/140600 ZGGG- ZGZU GUANGZHOU FIR TC PODUL PSN N2424 E11554 CB OBS AT 2100Z WI 250KM OF TC CENTER TOP FL530 WKN FCST AT 0600Z TC CENTER PSN N2454 E11306=
SIGMET for TS(thunderstorms)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSKO31 RKSI 132042 RKRR SIGMET G06 VALID 132100/140100 RKSI- RKRR INCHEON FIR EMBD TS OBS N3702 E12334 - N3829 E12704 - N3707 E12853 - N3457 E12334 - N3702 E12334 TOP FL330 MOV NE 20KT NC=
SIGMET for TURB(turbulence)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSUS31 KKCI 141130 SIGC CONVECTIVE SIGMET 01C VALID 141130/141530 KKCI - KSJT - KLBB - KMAF - KKCI SCATTERED SEV TURB AND TS EMBED IN MTN OBSCURATION BTN FL240 AND FL390. MOV FROM 25020KT. INTENSITY AND COVERAGE WILL INCREASE IN TIME.
SIGMET for ICE(icing)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSUS31 KKCI 141130 SIGC ICE SIGMET 01C VALID 141130/141530 KKCI - KSJT - KLBB - KMAF - KKCI OCNL MOD ICE BTN FL050 AND FL150 IN MTN OBSCURATION. MOV FROM 25020KT. CONDS EXPECTED TO PERSIST.
SIGMET for MTW(mountain waves)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSJP31 RJTD 222058 RJJJ SIGMET I02 VALID 222058/222258 RJTD‑RJJJ FUKUOKA FIR SEV MTW FCST WI N3430 E14010 ‑ N3500 E13850 ‑ N3600 E13850 ‑ N3630 E14000 ‑ N3600 E14130 ‑ N3500 E14130 ‑ N3430 E14010 FL020/180 STNR WKN=
SIGMET for DS(dust storm)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSUS44 KXYZ 241200 SIGMET DELTA 2 VALID 241200/241600 KXXX FIR HVY DS OBS N3500 W10500 – N3600 W10400 – N3550 W10300 – N3500 W10450 SFC MOV E 20KT WKN=
SIGMET for SS(sandstorm)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSXX31 ZZZZ 241200 SIGMET BRAVO 1 VALID 241200/241600 ZZZZ FIR HVY SS OBS WI N3500 E10500 – N3550 E10600 – N3500 E10700 – N3450 E10600 SFC MOV E 25KT WKN=
SIGMET for RDOACT CLD(Radioactive Cloud)
WS SIGMET
A message with a header starting with “WS” Example:WSSY05 AMMC SIGMET 5 VALID 201200/201600 AMMC-AMMC FIR RDOACT CLD FCST AT 1215Z WI N3500 E13500 - N3500 E13600 - N3600 E13600 - N3600 E13500 SFC/FL050 STNR NC=
*Cancellation of a SIGMET:SIGMETs may be cancelled if the phenomenon has dissipated.Example: CNL SIGMET [identification number] [valid period (YYGGgg/YYGGgg)]
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)
For airports where WNI can access data, you can obtain the following information.
Element
Structure
METAR
Observation
Example：
*The format may differ depending on the country.
TAF
Forecast
Example：
*The format may differ depending on the country.
Weathernews original airborne significant weather forecast data
This data divides the globe into a latitude–longitude grid, with each grid point representing the following elements on altitude pressure levels. The altitude levels range from 5,000 to 45,000 feet at 1,000-foot intervals. Units are the same for Nowcast and Forecasts.
Element
Unit
CB（Cumulonimbus）
Cloud Top Height
×100 feet
Cloud Base Height
×100 feet
ICE（Icing）
Icing Intensity Index
Scale：0～2（0＝Nil、1＝Light、2＝Moderate）
TURB（Turbulence）
Turbulence Intensity Index
Scale：0～5（0 ＝Nil、1＝Light、2 ＝Lig.toMod.、3 ＝Moderate、4 ＝Mod.toSev.、5 ＝SEVERE）
CONV（Convective Cloud）
Convective Cloud Coverage Index
Scale：0～2（0＝Nil、1＝Scattered、2＝Broken）