Hong Kong Observatory Open Data API

API

Free open data API for Hong Kong weather, earthquake, and climate information

Overview

The Hong Kong Observatory Open Data API provides RESTful access to real-time weather data (temperature, humidity, rainfall), earthquake alerts (magnitude, epicenter, time), and historical climate statistics (monthly averages, extreme weather records). Key endpoints include current weather reports, 7-day forecasts, seismic event updates, and long-term climate datasets. Responses are primarily in JSON format, with some historical data available in CSV/XML. Ideal for integrating into local weather apps, travel platforms, earthquake monitoring tools, and academic research on Hong Kong’s climate patterns. Most public endpoints require no authentication.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/abouthko/opendata_intro.htm')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful
JSON support
No authentication required
Real-time weather updates
Earthquake alert data
Historical climate statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Hong Kong Observatory Open Data API free to use?

Yes, it is completely free for public, non-commercial use as per the Hong Kong Observatory’s open data policy.

? Does it require an API Key?

Most public endpoints do not require an API key; however, advanced or high-volume access may need prior approval from the Hong Kong Observatory.

? What is the response format?

The majority of endpoints return data in JSON format, with some historical climate datasets available in CSV or XML for compatibility.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Weather

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free and open access
⊕ Official government-sourced data (high reliability)
⊕ Covers multiple data types (weather, earthquake, climate)
⊕ Easy to integrate for basic use cases

Cons

⊖ Region-limited (only Hong Kong data)
⊖ Potential rate limits for high-volume usage
⊖ No formal SLA for uptime
⊖ Documentation may lack advanced technical details