API Update: Global Lightning API

We are excited to announce the release of our Global Lightning API! This API allows for the retrieval of lightning flash data for any location in the world. Data is sourced from geostationary satellite lightning sensors, as well as weather radar.

By default it will return all lightning flashes that occurred within the last 30 minutes, and 50 kilometers from the point. Example:

https://api.weatherbit.io/v2.0/current/lightning?lat=48.1351&lon=11.5820&key=API_KEY

Alternatively, you can supply any of the following parameters:

• limit [Limit the total number of results returned]
• search_dist_km [Search distance radially from provided point]
• search_mins [How many minutes backwards from current time to search for lightning data]
• sort [Sort results either by distance or time]

So if you would like to retrieve all lightning for the past hour, within 100 KM of a point (48.1351, 11.5820) sorted by most recent time the request would simply be:

https://api.weatherbit.io/v2.0/current/lightning?lat=48.1351&lon=11.5820&search_dist_km=100&search_mins=60&sort=time&key=API_KEY

This new API is available now to all currently offered commercial subscriptions.

Conclusion

We hope that our users find value in these updates. We are always looking for ways to improve our API. Feel free to reach out to support@weatherbit.io with any questions or concerns.