Please utilize the following best practices when working with the text data server.

• Use current data cache files

  Files (in uncompressed and GZipped XML and CSV format) containing the most current worldwide data for METARs, TAFs, Aircraft Reports, and AIR/SIGMETs can be downloaded frequently from:

  • http://weather.aero/dataserver_current/cache or
  • http://weather.aero/dataserver1_4/cache

  Please see Current Data Cache for more information.

• Use data compression

  Compress data using the "compression=gzip" parameter in your request. This compresses your results and decreases the size of the returned file. XML results compress very well. This is especially relevant for users concerned with bandwidth.

  Gzipped files can usually be viewed directly in your browser. Most browsers will automatically unzip these when they are selected. If not, save the file to your disk and run unzip it manually.

• Minimize the number of requests

  For example: when retrieving more than one station, instead of making numerous requests for single stations consider combining these into one request.

  Multiple requests (Bad):

  1. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KDEN
  2. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KMIA
  3. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KSFO
  4. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KSLC
  5. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KLAX
  6. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=PHNL
  7. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=PHTO
  8. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=CYZT
  9. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KORD
  10. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=CYQB
  11. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=CYLL

  Single request (Good):

  1. dataSource=metars&requestType=retrieve&format=xml&hoursBeforeNow=2&stationString=KDEN,KMIA,KSFO,KSLC,KLAX,PHNL,PHTO,CYZT,KORD,CYQB,CYLL
• Don't unecessarily request large amounts of data

  Constraining requests as much as possible improves response time and overall server load. Consider using time, station, and geographic constraints as appropriate to make the query as specific as possible.

• Use the constraint version of the MostRecentForEachStation whenever possible

  This is considerably more efficient than the postfilter version, especially when retrieving TAF data. See the version 1.2 release notes for details on the difference.