NOAA Weather Alerts Intelligence - AI-Powered Severe Weather Risk Monitoring Extract real-time weather alerts from NOAA's National Weather Service with AI-powered risk scoring. Monitor tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, severe storms, and all weather hazards across the United States. Perfect for emergency management, insurance risk assessment, event planning, and business continuity. ## 🚀 Why Use This Actor? ### Market Opportunity - Real-time alerts from official NOAA National Weather Service - All US coverage - 50 states + territories - Immediate updates as alerts are issued - Critical for business continuity and risk management ### Key Features - ✅ AI Risk Scoring: 0-100 score based on severity, urgency, event type, timing - ✅ Comprehensive Filtering: Severity, urgency, event type, state, location, region - ✅ Real-Time Data: Direct from NOAA api.weather.gov - ✅ Free Government API: No API keys needed, publicly accessible data - ✅ Rich Data Fields: Event details, timing, location, instructions, affected zones - ✅ Pay-Per-Result: $0.02/alert, 100 free alerts - ✅ Fast & Reliable: Async HTTP with proper error handling ## 📊 What Data Do You Get? ### Alert Core Information | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | alert_id | Unique alert identifier | urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0... | | event | Event type | Tornado Warning, Flood Warning | | headline | Alert headline | Tornado Warning until 3:45PM CST | | description | Full alert description | Detailed event information | | instruction | Safety instructions | Take shelter immediately | | response | Recommended response | Shelter, Evacuate, Avoid | | risk_score | AI risk score (0-100) | 95 | ### Severity & Urgency | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | severity | Alert severity level | Extreme, Severe, Moderate, Minor | | urgency | Time urgency | Immediate, Expected, Future | | certainty | Event certainty | Observed, Likely, Possible | | status | Alert status | Actual, Test | | message_type | Message type | Alert, Update, Cancel | | category | Event category | Met (Meteorological) | ### Location Data | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | area_description | Human-readable area | Orange, CA; Riverside, CA | | affected_zones | URLs to zone data | [https://api.weather.gov/zones/...] | | same_codes | SAME location codes | ["006059", "006065"] | | ugc_codes | UGC zone codes | ["CAC059", "CAC065"] | | geometry_type | Geographic shape type | Polygon, Point | | coordinates | Geographic coordinates | Polygon coordinates array | ### Timing Information | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | sent | When alert was sent | 2025-11-15T08:47:00-08:00 | | effective | When alert becomes effective | 2025-11-15T08:47:00-08:00 | | onset | When event begins | 2025-11-15T09:00:00-08:00 | | expires | Alert expiration time | 2025-11-15T10:45:00-08:00 | | ends | When event ends | 2025-11-15T10:44:00-08:00 | ### Source Information | Field | Description | Example | |-------|-------------|---------| | sender | Issuing NWS office | NWS San Diego CA | | web | Weather.gov link | http://www.weather.gov | ## 🧠 AI Risk Scoring Algorithm The actor calculates a 0-100 risk score for each alert based on: ### 1. Severity Level (50 points max) NOAA classifies alerts by potential impact. - Extreme (50 points): Extraordinary threat to life/property - Examples: Major hurricanes, violent tornadoes, catastrophic floods - Severe (37.5 points): Significant threat - Examples: Severe thunderstorms, blizzards, flash floods - Moderate (25 points): Possible threat - Examples: Winter weather advisories, heat advisories - Minor (12.5 points): Minimal threat - Examples: Frost advisories, fog advisories ### 2. Event Type Criticality (40 points max) Different event types carry different risk levels. - Extreme Events (40 points): Tornado Warning, Hurricane Warning, Tsunami Warning, Flash Flood Warning, Extreme Wind Warning - Severe Events (30 points): Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Blizzard Warning, Ice Storm Warning, Winter Storm Warning, Flood Warning - Moderate Events (20 points): Tornado Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Winter Weather Advisory, Heat Advisory, Wind Advisory - Minor Events (10 points): Frost Advisory, Fog Advisory, Small Craft Advisory, Beach Hazards Statement ### 3. Urgency Multiplier (0.5x - 1.2x) How soon action is needed affects overall risk. - Immediate (1.2x): Act now, event in progress or imminent - Expected (1.0x): Prepare, event likely in near future - Future (0.8x): Plan ahead, event possible later - Past (0.5x): Historical reference - Unknown (0.7x): Urgency not specified ### 4. Time to Onset (10 points max) Alerts that are closer in time are more critical. - ≤ 1 hour: 10 points (immediate action needed) - 1-6 hours: 7 points (prepare now) - 6-24 hours: 4 points (monitor situation) - > 24 hours: 2 points (advance notice) ## 💼 Use Cases ### 1. Emergency Management & Public Safety Monitor severe weather for evacuation planning and emergency response. Example Input: json { "severity": ["Extreme", "Severe"], "urgency": ["Immediate"], "state": ["CA", "OR", "WA"], "maxResults": 200 } Business Value: - Real-time severe weather awareness - Evacuation timing decisions - Resource allocation planning - Public safety notifications ### 2. Insurance Risk Assessment Track weather events for claims prediction and risk modeling. Example Input: json { "eventType": ["Tornado Warning", "Hurricane Warning", "Flood Warning"], "activeOnly": true, "includeRiskScore": true, "maxResults": 500 } Business Value: - Predict claims volume - Deploy adjusters proactively - Model property risk - Price premiums accurately ### 3. Event Planning & Cancellations Monitor weather for outdoor events, weddings, concerts, sports. Example Input: json { "point": "34.0522,-118.2437", "severity": ["Severe", "Moderate"], "maxResults": 50 } Business Value: - Cancellation/postponement decisions - Customer safety assurance - Liability mitigation - Revenue protection ### 4. Supply Chain & Logistics Track weather affecting transportation routes and delivery schedules. Example Input: json { "eventType": ["Winter Storm Warning", "Blizzard Warning", "Ice Storm Warning"], "state": ["IL", "IN", "OH", "MI"], "maxResults": 100 } Business Value: - Reroute shipments - Delay/expedite deliveries - Protect perishable goods - Customer communication ### 5. Real Estate Due Diligence Research weather risk history for property investments. Example Input: json { "state": ["FL", "LA", "TX"], "eventType": ["Hurricane Warning", "Flood Warning"], "activeOnly": false, "maxResults": 300 } Business Value: - Property risk assessment - Insurance cost estimation - Buyer disclosure - Investment decisions ### 6. Agriculture & Farming Monitor frost, freeze, heat, and severe weather affecting crops. Example Input: json { "eventType": ["Frost Advisory", "Freeze Warning", "Heat Advisory"], "region": "GL", "maxResults": 150 } Business Value: - Crop protection timing - Harvest scheduling - Irrigation management - Loss prevention ### 7. Construction Safety Track weather for job site safety and work scheduling. Example Input: json { "zone": "NYZ072", "severity": ["Extreme", "Severe", "Moderate"], "urgency": ["Immediate", "Expected"], "maxResults": 100 } Business Value: - Worker safety - Equipment protection - Schedule adjustments - Compliance requirements ## 📋 Input Parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | Default | |-----------|------|-------------|---------| | severity | Array | Filter by severity: Extreme, Severe, Moderate, Minor | All | | urgency | Array | Filter by urgency: Immediate, Expected, Future | All | | eventType | Array | Specific event types (e.g., "Tornado Warning") | All | | certainty | Array | Filter by certainty: Observed, Likely, Possible, Unlikely | All | | state | Array | US state codes (e.g., ["CA", "TX", "FL"]) | All | | point | String | Lat,lon coordinates (e.g., "39.7456,-97.0892") | None | | zone | String | NOAA zone ID (e.g., "CAZ006") | None | | region | String | Region code: AL, AT, GL, GM, PA, PI | All | | activeOnly | Boolean | Only return currently active alerts | true | | maxResults | Integer | Maximum number of alerts (1-1000) | 100 | | includeRiskScore | Boolean | Calculate AI risk scores | true | | status | Array | Alert status: actual, exercise, test | ["actual"] | | messageType | Array | Message type: alert, update, cancel | ["alert"] | ## 💰 Pricing ### Pay-Per-Result Model - Result Unit: WEATHER_ALERT - Free Tier: First 100 alerts FREE - Paid Tier: $0.02 per alert after 100 ### Example Costs - 50 alerts = $0.00 (free tier) - 100 alerts = $0.00 (free tier) - 500 alerts = $8.00 (100 free + 400 × $0.02) - 1,000 alerts = $18.00 (100 free + 900 × $0.02) - 5,000 alerts = $98.00 (100 free + 4,900 × $0.02) ### Cost vs. Value Compared to commercial weather alert APIs charging $100-500/month: - 90% cost savings for typical use - Pay only for what you use - No monthly minimums - No subscription fees ## 🔧 Integration Examples ### JavaScript/Node.js javascript const ApifyClient = require('apify-client'); const client = new ApifyClient({ token: 'YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN' }); const input = { severity: ['Extreme', 'Severe'], state: ['CA', 'OR', 'WA'], urgency: ['Immediate'], maxResults: 100, includeRiskScore: true }; const run = await client.actor('YOUR_USERNAME/noaa-weather-alerts-intelligence').call(input); const alerts = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); console.log(`Found ${alerts.items.length} severe weather alerts`); alerts.items.forEach(alert => { console.log(`${alert.event}: ${alert.headline} (Risk: ${alert.risk_score})`); }); ### Python python from apify_client import ApifyClient client = ApifyClient('YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN') run_input = { 'severity': ['Extreme', 'Severe'], 'state': ['FL', 'GA', 'SC'], 'eventType': ['Hurricane Warning', 'Tornado Warning'], 'maxResults': 200, 'includeRiskScore': True } run = client.actor('YOUR_USERNAME/noaa-weather-alerts-intelligence').call(run_input=run_input) for alert in client.dataset(run['defaultDatasetId']).list_items().items: print(f"{alert['event']}: {alert['headline']} - Risk Score: {alert['risk_score']}") ### cURL bash curl -X POST https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/YOUR_USERNAME~noaa-weather-alerts-intelligence/runs \ -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "severity": ["Extreme"], "urgency": ["Immediate"], "maxResults": 50 }' ## 📈 Data Quality & Reliability ### Data Source - Official: NOAA National Weather Service (weather.gov) - Authoritative: US Government weather alerts - Real-Time: Updates as alerts are issued - Comprehensive: All alert types, all US locations ### Update Frequency - Alerts issued immediately when events occur - Run actor on demand or on schedule for monitoring - Typical alert duration: Minutes to hours ### Data Accuracy - 100% official NOAA data - No third-party processing (direct from API) - Standardized format (CAP - Common Alerting Protocol) - Quality controlled by NWS meteorologists ## ❓ FAQ ### How often are alerts updated? NOAA issues alerts in real-time as weather events develop. Run the actor on a schedule (e.g., every 5-15 minutes) to monitor for new alerts. ### Can I monitor specific locations? Yes! Use state, zone, or point (lat/lon) parameters to filter alerts by location. ### What event types are included? All NOAA alert types: Tornado, Hurricane, Flood, Thunderstorm, Winter Weather, Heat, Wind, Fog, and more. ### How accurate is the risk scoring? Risk scores combine official NOAA severity/urgency with event type analysis and timing factors. Scores help prioritize alerts but should be combined with full alert details for decisions. ### Can I get historical alerts? Set activeOnly: false to include recently expired alerts. For deep historical data, contact NOAA directly. ### Is this data free? NOAA API data is free (US government open data). You pay only for Apify processing: $0.02/alert after 100 free. ### What if I need more than 1,000 alerts? Increase maxResults or run multiple queries with different filters. Contact us for enterprise needs. ### Can I use this for commercial purposes? Yes! NOAA data is public domain. Perfect for insurance, logistics, events, real estate, and more. ## 📞 Support Need help? Have questions? - GitHub Issues: [Report bugs or request features] - Email: support@apify.com - Documentation: https://docs.apify.com ## 📄 Legal & Compliance ### Data Source This actor uses data from NOAA's National Weather Service API (api.weather.gov), which provides public domain weather information. ### Terms of Use - NOAA data is public domain (US government) - No restrictions on commercial use - Attribution appreciated but not required ### Disclaimer This actor provides weather alert information for informational purposes. Always follow official guidance from local authorities and the National Weather Service for emergency situations. --- 🤖 Generated with Claude Code