NAME

Geo::WeatherNWS - A simple way to get current weather data from the NWS.

SYNOPSIS

  use Geo::WeatherNWS;

  my $Report=Geo::WeatherNWS::new();
  $Report=>getreport('kcvg');		# kcvg is the station code for 
					# Cincinnati, OH

DESCRIPTION

This module is an early release of what will hopefully be a robust way
for Perl Programmers to get current weather data from the National Weather
Service.  The only part implemented so far is the getreport routine, which
retrieves the most current METAR formatted station report and decodes it
into a hash that you can use.

I thought this would be a useful module, considering that a lot of sites
today seem to get their weather data directly through other sites via http.
When the site you are getting your weather data from changes format, then 
you end up having to re-code your parsing program.  With the weather module,
all you need is a four-letter station code to get the most recent weather
observations.  If you do not know what the station code is for your area,
check the site at http://205.156.54.206/oso/siteloc.shtml to start your 
search.  The information is out there, and I should include a list of 
station codes in the next release.

Since this module uses the NWS METAR Observations, you can get weather
reports from anywhere in the world that has a four-letter station code.

This module uses the POSIX and Net::FTP modules, so you'll have to make 
sure that everything is set up with them before you can use the module. 

my $Report=Geo::WeatherNWS::new();
$Report->getreport('station');

You can now use the $Report hashref to display the information.
Some of the returned info is about the report itself, such as:

$Report->{day}          	  # Report Date
$Report->{time}         	  # Report Time
$Report->{station_type}         # Station Type (auto or manual)
$Report->{obs}          	  # The Observation Text (encoded)
$Report->{code}         	  # The Station Code

These are the returned values specific tothe conditions:

$Report->{conditionstext} 	  # Conditions text
$Report->{conditions1}	  # First Part
$Report->{conditions2}	  # Second Part

These are the returned values specific to wind:

$Report->{windspeedmph}         # Wind Speed (in mph)
$Report->{windspeedkts}         # Wind Speed (in kts)
$Report->{winddir}              # Wind Direction (in degrees)
$Report->{winddirtext}          # Wind Direction (text version)
$Report->{windgustmph}          # Wind Gusts (mph)
$Report->{windgustkts}          # Wind Gusts (kts)

These are the retunred values specific to temperature and 
humidity:

$Report->{temperature_f}        # Temperature (degrees f)
$Report->{temperature_c}        # Temperature (degrees c)
$Report->{dewpoint_f}           # Dewpoint (degrees f)
$Report->{dewpoint_c}           # Dewpoint (degrees c)
$Report->{relative_humidity}    # Relative Humidity (in percent)
$Report->{windchill_f}          # Wind Chill (degrees f)
$Report->{windchill_c}          # Wind Chill (degrees c)
$Report->{heat_index_f}         # Heat Index (degrees f)
$Report->{heat_index_c}         # Heat Index (degrees c)

Note: Due to the formulas used to get the heat index and windchill, 
sometimes these values are a little strange.  A check to see if the heat 
index is above the temperature before displaying it would be a good thing 
for you to do.  You probably don't want to display the winchill unless 
its cold either.

These are the return values for clouds and visibility:

$Report->{cloudcover}           # Cloudcover (text)
$Report->{cloudlevel_arrayref}  # Arrayref holding all cloud levels
$Report->{visibility_mi}        # Visibility (miles)
$Report->{visibility_km}        # Visibility (kilometers)

These are the return values for air pressure:

$Report->{pressure_inhg}        # Air Pressure (in mercury)
$Report->{pressure_mmhg}        # Air Pressure (in mm mercury)
$Report->{pressure_kgcm}        # Air Pressure (kg per cm)
$Report->{pressure_mb}          # Air Pressure (mb)
$Report->{pressure_lbin}        # Air Pressure (psi)

Other values MAY be returned, but only if there are remarks appended
to the observations.  This section of the code is more experimental,
and these names could change in future releases.

$Report->{remark_arrayref}      # Arrayref holding all remarks
$Report->{ptemerature}          # Precise Tepmerature Reading
$Report->{storm}		  # Thunderstorm stats
$Report->{slp_inhg}             # Air Pressure at Sea Level (in mercury)
$Report->{slp_mmhg}             # Air Pressure at Sea Level (mm mercury)
$Report->{slp_kgcm}             # Air Pressure at Sea Level (kg per cm)
$Report->{slp_lbin}             # Air Pressure at Sea Level (psi)
$Report->{slp_mb}               # Air Pressure at Sea Level (mb)

Another note:  Do not be surprised if sometimes the values come back
empty. The weather stations are not required to place all of the 
information in the reports.

EXAMPLE

use Geo::Weather;

my $Report=Geo::Weather::new(); $Report->getreport('khao'); # For Hamilton, OH

print "Temperature is $Report->{temperature_f} degrees\n"; print "Air Pressure is $Report->{pressure_inhg} inches\n";

# If it isnt raining, etc - just print cloud cover

if ($Report->{conditionstext}) { print "Conditions: $Report->{conditionstext}\n"; } else { print "Conditions: $Report->{cloudcover}\n"; }

AUTHOR

Marc Slagle - marc.slagle@fulkertconsulting.com