Background: Weather Underground (WU) was acquired by IBM in 2019, resulting in changes to their API service and the process to obtaining an API key. At of now, OpenSprinkler's default weather service uses Apple WeatherKit and WU is no longer recommended. However, firmware 2.2.0 and later still support WU Personal Weather Stations (PWS). The following guide explains how to acquire a WU API key and PWS station name as of July 16, 2019. These steps may change over time, so proceed at your own discretion
Step 1: Create a WU Account
Visit https://www.wunderground.com/signup and register for a WU account.
Step 2: Set Up a Personal Weather Station (PWS)
- Log in to your WU account, click "My Profile" (top-right corner of the screen).
- Navigate to the "My Devices" tab.
- Add a PWS device (you don’t need to own a physical weather station).
- Enter your address, then select any available device (e.g., Acurite 3-in-1 Weather Station).
- A PWS station name will be generated for you.
- If you don’t own a physical PWS, the generated PWS will not provide valid data. Do NOT use this PWS for weather adjustments.
Step 3: Create an API Key
Once your PWS device is created, go to the "API Keys" tab, and create a new API key.
WU assigns one key per account, regardless of how many devices you have.
Your API key will be a 32-character long string.
Step 4: Find Nearby PWS Stations and Configure OpenSprinkler
Starting from firmware 2.2.0, OpenSprinkler allows using a WU PWS as data source:
- On your OpenSprinkler's homepage, go to Edit Options --> Weather and Sensors, select WeatherUnderground as the Weather Data Provider.
- Enter the WU API key you created. Click the "Verify" button next to it to verify it's correct.
- Submit the changes. Then go to Edit Options --> Location, nearby PWS stations will appear as blue dots on the map.
- Select a blue dot and Submit. OpenSprinkler will automatically record the PWS station name.