Endpoint: alerts/summary

The alerts/summary endpoint provides an overall summary of the currently-active alerts within the USA and Canada based on search/filter criteria. Example use cases include obtaining the total number of active weather zones or counties with active alerts, the types of active alerts, what states currently have active alerts, and more. This endpoint is available for all 50 states in the USA, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and Europe.

Use our wizard to try out this endpoint

Supported Alert Types

Please refer to the full list of available alerts, type and color codes:
https://www.aerisweather.com/support/docs/aeris-maps/reference/alert-types/

The alert type codes may be passed in the type element of the query parameter and correspond to the details.type in the response output.

Supported Actions

The following actions are supported with the alerts/summary endpoint:

:id Requesting data by using the :id action is used for returning data for a particular item that has an ID associated with it. This is the primary method for requesting general weather information for a single location (observations, forecasts, advisories, etc.) as the location's name or a zip code serves as the id. Other endpoints may expect a certain value for the ID, such as storm cells whose ID value is a combination of the radar site identifier and unique identifier assigned to every storm cell. Refer to an endpoint's detailed documentation for specific information regarding how to use the :id action.
search The search action is used as a more general query method and expects the query to be defined with the custom query for the request. Unlike the closest action, results will not be returned in any particular order.
within The within action allows for returning data within a variety of different geometrical regions. Currently supported geometries include a circle (requires a center point and radius), rectangle (requires two coordinate points defining the top-left and bottom-right corners) and polygon (requires at least three coordinate points). Unlike the closest action, the results will not be returned in any particular order based on distance.

Supported Parameters

The following parameters are optional unless otherwise noted:

fields fields=:string Provides a comma separated list of values for the API to return. This parameter is often used to limit the amount of data returned. See Reducing Output.
filter filter=:string Predefined filters for limiting the results. The filter value can be a single, comma-delimited or a semicolon delimited string of filter names.
limit limit=:total The total number of results to return as an integer. Each endpoint may have a set maximum for this value depending on usage.

The default limit is 1 if not specified. The maximum limit for this endpoint is 250.
query query=:string Used to filter results based on certain fields in the data set. See Advanced Queries for more details.
radius radius=:distance:unit When requesting the closest results within a circle, the radius determines how far from the specified location to search. A valid unit value must be included in your radius value, e.g., "5mi", "10km", "25miles". If no unit is provided, your value is assumed to be in meters by default.

Most endpoints utilize a default radius of 50 miles, though some endpoints, such as lightning, may have tighter restrictions specified.

Supported Filters

The following filters can be passed to the filter parameter to reduce the results that are returned:

warning Returns all warnings.

A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.
watch Returns all watches.

A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities.
advisory Returns all alerts.

An alert is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. Alerts are for "less serious" conditions than warnings that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.
outlook Returns all outlooks.

An outlook is issued daily to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may occur in the next several days. The outlook will include information about potential severe thunderstorms, heavy rain or flooding, winter weather, extremes of heat or cold, etc., that may develop over the next 7 days with an emphasis on the first 24 hours of the forecast. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event.
statement Returns all special weather statements.
severe Returns all severe-related alerts:
- severe thunderstorm
- tornado
flood Returns all flood/hydro-related alerts:
- debris flow
- flood, flash flood
- hydrologic
tropical Returns all tropical-related alerts:
- tropical storm, hurricane, typhoon
- tropical storm wind
- hurricane wind
- extreme wind
winter Returns all winter-related alerts:
- blizzard, winter storm, winter weather
- snow, heavy snow
- lake effect snow
- snow and blowing snow
- ice pellets, freezing rain, ice storm
- wind chill
marine Returns all marine/coastal-related alerts:
- marine
- freezing spray, heavy freezing spray
- small craft
- small craft for winds
- small craft for hazardous seas
- small craft for rough bar
- gale
- hazardous seas
- hurricane force winds
- lakeshore flood
- coastal flood, high surf
- tsunami
- low water
- dense fog, dense smoke, ashfall (marine)
nonprecip Returns all non-precipitation-related alerts:
- blowing dust/dust storm
- wind, high wind, lake wind
- dense smoke
- dense fog, freezing fog
- freeze, frost
- heat, excessive heat, extreme cold
forecast Returns forecasts, normally short-term forecasts.
all Return all warnings, watches, advisories, statements, outlooks and forecasts.
wind Returns wind-related alerts.
fire Returns fire-related alerts.
tsunami Returns tsunami-related alerts.
now Returns alerts that are currently in effect.
synopsis Returns a synopsis of the alerts.
tornado Returns tornado related alerts (Tornado watches/warnings)
emergency Returns emergency-specific alerts.
canada Returns only Canadian alerts. Equivalent to query=country:ca
usa Returns only USA alerts. Equivalent to query=country:us
allcountries Returns alerts for all countries (the default).
hassmallpoly Returns alerts that have a small polygon (US severe thunderstorm, tornado, flash flood etc)
distinct Returns a summary based on counting alerts issued for multiple locations once.
nonmarine Returns all warnings, watches, and alerts that are not marine related.

Supported Query Properties

Use the following supported property keys when creating custom queries for your requests:

type Used to query the alert type. The value should be set to the VTEC Code or the WMO if no VTEC code exists. Review the list of allowed Alert Types.

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=type:TO.W will return only the tornado warnings
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=type:TO.W;type:NOW will return tornado warnings and short-term forecasts
wxzone Used to query by the zone id the alert is issued for. Normally will be a NOAA public weather zone that looks similar to: VAZ014 or if issued for a specific county : VAC023
sig Used to query by the one character coded significance of an alert type.
W = Warning
A = Watch
Y = Advisory
S = Statement
O = Outlook
F = Forecast

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=sig:W,sig:A (returns only warnings and alerts for Minneapolis, MN)
sigp Used to query by the numeric representation of an alert type. A lower number has higher significance.
1 = Warning
3 = Watch
5 = Advisory
7 = Statement
9 = Forecast (Short term)
11 = Outlook

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=sigp:1:3 (returns only warnings and alerts for Minneapolis, MN)
name County name or weather zone name (lowercase) of the location the alert has been issued for.
issued Used to query by the date the alert is issued for.
expires Used to query by the date the alert is scheduled to expire.
active Used to query active or inactive alerts.
0 = not active
1 = active
By default the API will not return inactive alerts

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,min?query=active:0:0 (returns only alerts that are no longer active for Minneapolis, MN)
emergency Used to query emergency specific alerts, such as tornado emergencies.
true = emergency specific alerts
false = non emergency specific alerts
issued Used to query alerts based on the issued time. Values can be relative formats or dates. Times are not currently supported.

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=issued:-10minutes&limit=100 (returns alerts issued within the past 10 minutes for Minneapolis, MN)
begins Used to query alerts based on the begins time of the alert. Some alerts such as winter storm warnings may be issued now, but do not go into effect until several hours later.
Values can be relative formats or dates. Times are not currently supported.

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=begins:-6hours:6hours&limit=100 (returns active alerts that either went into effect in the past six hours or are set to go live in the next 6 hours for Minneapolis, MN)
expires Used to query alerts based on the expiration time. Values can be relative formats or dates. Times are not currently supported.

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=expires:now:10minutes&limit=100 (returns alerts set to expire within the next 10 minutes for Minneapolis, MN)
added Used to query alerts based on the time they were added to the API database. Values can be relative formats or dates. Times are not currently supported.

Examples:
/alerts/minneapolis,mn?query=added:-10minutes&limit=100 (returns alerts received and added within the last 10 minutes for Minneapolis, MN)

Examples

The /[:endpoint]/[:action]? portion within the query template below can be exchanged with any of the examples. Also, please note you will need to input your client credentials in the [ID] and [SECRET] fields which can be found under the Apps section of the members area.

https://api.aerisapi.com/[:endpoint]/[:action]?client_id=[ID]&client_secret=[SECRET]

Return a summary for all active alerts.
/alerts/summary?

Return a summary for all active alerts within a 50 mile radius of Minneapolis, MN
/alerts/summary/minneapolis,mn?

Return a summary for all active alerts within a 100 mile radius of Minneapolis, MN
/alerts/summary/minneapolis,mn?radius=100miles&

Return a summary for all severe thunderstorm and tornado watches/warnings.
/alerts/summary/?filter=severe&

Return a summary for all alerts for severe or flood related events.
Note the semicolon is used to represent a logical 'OR'.
/alerts/summary/?filter=severe;flood&

Response

The following is an example of what each object in the response will consist of. Depending on your requested action, the response may contain multiple instances of this object within an array.


{
  "success": true,
  "error": null,
  "response": {
    "summary": {
      "count": 5,
      "countries": [
        "us"
      ],
      "states": [
        "fl"
      ],
      "typeCodes": [
        "FR.Y",
        "RP.S"
      ],
      "types": [
        {
          "type": "FROST ADVISORY",
          "code": "FR.Y",
          "priority": 88,
          "color": "#6495ED",
          "count": 3,
          "states": [
            "fl"
          ],
          "countries": [
            "us"
          ],
          "zones": [
            "FLZ020",
            "FLZ021",
            "FLZ122"
          ]
        },
        {
          "type": "RIP CURRENT STATEMENT",
          "code": "RP.S",
          "priority": 96,
          "color": "#40E0D0",
          "count": 2,
          "states": [
            "fl"
          ],
          "countries": [
            "us"
          ],
          "zones": [
            "FLZ114",
            "FLZ168"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
								

Response Properties

The following properties will be provided in every response object:

summary (object) Object containing the summary
summary.count (number) The total number of weather zones or FIPS that have active alerts.
summary.states (array) Array of two letter US state abbreviations or Canadian province in the format of "ca.xx", that have active alerts
summary.typeCodes (array) Array of active VTEC or WMO (if no VTEC) codes for the active alerts.

Please refer to the full list of available alerts, type and color codes:
https://www.aerisweather.com/support/docs/aeris-maps/reference/alert-types/
summary.types (array) Array of each active alert type, with summary information for each
summary.types[#].type (string) The alert type name
summary.types[#].code (string) The VTEC or WMO (if no VTEC) codes for the alert

Please refer to the full list of available alerts, type and color codes.
summary.types[#].color (string) The 6 character hex color code for the alert. Corresponds to the AMP Alert types/colors.
summary.types[#].count (number) The total number of weather zones or FIPS that the alert is active within.
summary.types[#].states (array) Array of two letter US state abbreviations or Canadian province in the format of "ca.xx",that the alert is active within
summary.types[#].zones (array) Array of NOAA public weather zones and/or FIPS codes that the alert is active within.

Last modified: December 08, 2022