Are you interested in Building SMS Weather Forecasts Using An API? In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know.
Nowadays, we love being able to get customer support, schedule appointments, or receive updates through texting; eliminating the need to go in person or call to do certain things. Certainly, Short Message Service (SMS) is everywhere in the world; and, of course, has support in all the cellphones available in today’s market. This definitely makes it a great interface for various businesses.
One of the applications for this service is weather forecasts. You can set up a short messaging service that accepts weather requests by city names, for example, and it sends back a short message containing that data.
If you have no idea what we’re talking about, do not worry! We’re going to start with a most basic question:
What Is SMS?
SMS is the cell phone service that makes it possible to send and receive short text messages.
Developed in the mid-1980s, the original SMS allowed messages to be created between 140 and 160 seven-bit characters. Over time, the service began to include other options, such as the possibility of adding content beyond the text or joining different messages to extend the length.
Due to the immediacy of the contact and the fact that they are cheaper than establishing voice communication through the telephone, SMS became widespread throughout the world and even brought about important social changes.
Even though there are new services like Whatsapp or Messenger; we must keep in mind that these advances haven’t been able to eliminate the presence or usefulness of SMS, partly because nowadays the adoption of smartphones isn’t absolute.
What Is The Weather Forecast?
The weather forecast is the prediction of what the atmosphere is going to be like in a particular space and time. This is done through the use of technology and scientific knowledge to make meteorological observations. In other words, it is a way to predict things like cloudiness, rain, snow, wind speed, and temperature before it happens.
What Can You Use For Building SMS Weather Forecasts?
You should use a Weather API. Firstly, APIs are mechanisms that allow two software components to communicate with each other using a set of definitions and protocols. This means that one application requests data from another, and the other application returns the data through the interface that is the API.
Secondly, a weather API is a software that provides different types of weather information when requested by the client.
Then, What Is The Best Weather API For Building SMS Weather Forecasts?
Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API
Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API is a great service for everyone. Because of all the information available within it, its capabilities, and the ease of integration.
This API displays Forecasted weather data; as well as accurate current real-time weather data. This is, of course, available through the APIs 3 data endpoints:
- Current Weather: This endpoint grants you access to accurate real-time data regarding the data.
- Forecasted Weather – 5 Days: Through this data endpoint you’ll get access to predicted weather data for the next 5 days. Additionally, this data endpoint has updates every 3 hours.
- Forecasted Weather – 16 days: Last but certainly not least, this data endpoint allows you to retrieve the forecasted weather for the following 16 days. The information has daily updates.
The Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API returns a large amount of information for each request through any endpoint; this way you can pick and choose what the most important factors are for your text messaging service, or you can add more than one data endpoint for your clients. Some of the data you’ll get are:
- Temperatures
- Humidity
- Current Conditions
- Cloudiness
- Chances of Precipitation
Also, Current Weather and Forecasted Weather API can be queried by zip code; city name; or coordinates from anywhere in the world. Talking about the world, you also get the chance to choose any language to get the data in, from a list of more than 15 language possibilities.