Meteostat
German open platform for historical weather and climate data, with Python library, CSV datasets and JSON API
Quick Overview
| Company | Meteostat (Christian Lamprecht) |
|---|---|
| Category | Weather API Providers |
| Headquarters | Rosbach v. d. Höhe, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages read |
| Open Source | Python library is open source (licence not read); data CC BY 4.0 |
| GDPR Compliant | Privacy policy published |
| Self-Hosting | Datasets can be downloaded for offline analysis |
| Main Features | Historical weather and climate data, Python library, CLI, CSV datasets, JSON API, station time series |
| Pricing | Data is free; service fees only cover reproduction, delivery and maintenance, per terms |
| Best For | Analysts and students who need long station records, not forecasts |
| Replaces | Tomorrow.io |
Detailed Review
Meteostat answers a narrower question than the other tools on this page: what was the weather at a station in the past. Its developer site calls it an open platform that gives free access to historical weather and climate data.
The legal disclosure names Meteostat c/o Christian Lamprecht, Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 26, 61191 Rosbach v. d. Höhe, Germany, so this is a small operator, not a company with a corporate form.
Four ways in
The Python library, a command line tool, CSV datasets for long-term station time series and a JSON API cover scripting, bulk download and application use.
The datasets suit offline analysis with your own tooling.
Licence and sources
Meteostat data is under CC BY 4.0, and the site footer credits NOAA, Deutscher Wetterdienst and Environment Canada as providers of weather data.
Its source list is published on the website.
Terms
The terms say the data itself costs nothing and that fees only cover reproduction, delivery and maintenance. Access can be discontinued or blocked at any time without prior notice, with no compensation for downtime.
Data is not intended for contexts where life or property may be at risk.
Limitations to Consider
This is a history and climate source, not a forecast API, and its operator is an individual-led project with no stated service commitment. The terms allow shutdown without notice and exclude safety-critical use. JSON API quotas and pricing could not be read on the pages fetched. For forecasts pair it with Open-Meteo or MET Norway.
Who Should Use Meteostat
Researchers, data scientists and students who need historic station data and are comfortable with open-source tooling.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free data under CC BY 4.0
- Python library and CLI
- Bulk CSV datasets
- Sources openly listed
- German operator address published
Cons
- No forecasts
- Service can be stopped without notice
- Not for safety-critical use
- API quotas not read
Alternatives to Meteostat
Other European weather api providers worth comparing before you decide:
Open-Meteo
Switzerland · Open-source weather API merging national model data, free for non-commercial use
Stormglass
Sweden · Weather and marine API with euro plans from €19 per month
Meteomatics
Switzerland · St. Gallen API with 1,800+ parameters and 1 km Europe model
Windy API
Czech Republic · Point, map and webcam APIs from the makers of Windy.com
See all European weather api providers or compare them directly against Tomorrow.io on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its developer site describes historical weather and climate data, not forecasts.
The terms say Meteostat does not charge for the data; fees only cover reproduction, delivery and maintenance.
The legal disclosure lists Meteostat c/o Christian Lamprecht in Rosbach v. d. Höhe, Germany.