canonical: https://jentic.com/apis/dataplatform.knmi.nl/knmi

# Dataplatform Knmi Nl KNMI Data Platform API

The KNMI Data Platform API exposes open meteorological and climate datasets published by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). The Open Data API gives programmatic access to versioned dataset files (radar mosaics, weather observations, satellite imagery, climate model outputs) by listing files inside a dataset version and returning a temporary signed download URL for each file. Authentication is a single API key in the Authorization header. The platform underpins research and operational pipelines that need authoritative Dutch meteorological data.

## For AI agents

List versioned files in a KNMI open dataset and fetch a temporary signed download URL to retrieve meteorological, climate, and satellite data.

## Scope

Does not handle real-time forecast computation, geographic point lookups, or paid commercial weather feeds - use for retrieving published KNMI open dataset files only.

## Capabilities

- List all files in a specific KNMI dataset version via GET `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files`
- Filter and paginate through large file inventories using query parameters
- Fetch a temporary signed download URL for any KNMI dataset file
- Pull radar, satellite, observation, and climate model files into a data pipeline
- Drive automated retrieval of the latest dataset version for time-series analysis

## Use cases

### Operational Weather Data Ingest

Hydrologists, energy traders, and aviation operators ingest the latest KNMI radar and observation files into their forecasting pipelines on a schedule. The list-files endpoint surfaces newly published files in a dataset version, and the URL endpoint returns a short-lived signed link that the pipeline downloads directly. This avoids hand-maintained FTP scripts and keeps the consumer aligned with the canonical KNMI publication cadence.

Example prompt: List files in dataset 'radar_reflectivity_composites' version '2.0' added in the last hour, fetch the signed URL for each, and stream the files to s3://weather-ingest/

### Climate Research Reproducibility

Climate researchers reference specific KNMI dataset versions in published papers so that reviewers can re-fetch the exact files used in an analysis. The versioned files endpoint guarantees stable identifiers, and the signed-URL endpoint provides authenticated retrieval. Reproducibility-aware notebooks pin a dataset name and versionId so reruns always pull the same inputs.

Example prompt: Pull every file in dataset 'rd1_climatology' version '1.0' and store the manifest plus signed URLs in a research_inputs.json

### Satellite Imagery Workflow

Earth observation teams retrieve KNMI-distributed satellite imagery files (Meteosat, Sentinel) by listing the dataset version and pulling each file's signed URL into a processing job. The two-endpoint surface keeps the integration tiny and the signed URL pattern means the team's API key never travels with the bulk download traffic.

Example prompt: List today's files in a Meteosat dataset version, fetch each signed URL, and feed the URLs to a downstream processing queue

### AI Agent Weather Data Retrieval

AI agents that need authoritative Dutch weather or climate data call the KNMI Data Platform through Jentic. Jentic isolates the API key in its vault so the agent only handles dataset names, version IDs, and filenames. This is well-suited to research agents that need to cite a specific KNMI dataset version when generating an analysis.

Example prompt: Find the latest precipitation observation file in dataset 'observation_data' version '1.0' and return its signed download URL

## Key endpoints

| Method | Path | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GET | `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files` | List files inside a dataset version |
| GET | `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files/{filename}/url` | Fetch a temporary signed download URL for a file |

## Key resources

- **Datasets** — Versioned collections of KNMI files (radar, observations, climate models, satellite)
- **Files** — Individual files inside a dataset version, listed and retrieved via signed URL

## Why Jentic

- **Setup:** Wiring the KNMI Data Platform by hand means learning its API key auth in the Authorization header, then chaining two calls yourself: list the files in a dataset version, then request a signed download URL for each file. Through Jentic you install once, import the KNMI Data Platform from the API Directory, store the API key once, and your agent calls it.
- **Permission scoping:** KNMI puts the dataset name and version in the URL path (`/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files`), so a rule can pin your agent to one dataset version and nothing else. Both operations here are read-only listing and signed-URL retrieval, so you choose to grant exactly those and no write path is available.
- **Credential handling:** Your KNMI API key is stored once, encrypted, by your own Jentic One instance and injected into the Authorization header at execution time. It never enters the agent's prompt, logs, or the signed download URL.
- **Discovery method:** Agents search Jentic by intent such as 'list KNMI dataset files' or 'get a signed download URL for a weather file', and Jentic returns the two matching operations with their input schemas so the agent runs the list-then-download flow without browsing the KNMI portal.

## Related APIs

- **NOAA API** — NOAA publishes US weather, climate, and ocean data; KNMI focuses on Dutch and North Sea coverage.
- **OpenWeatherMap** — OpenWeatherMap provides aggregated forecasts via simple JSON endpoints; KNMI provides raw authoritative source files.
- **WeatherAPI** — WeatherAPI gives current/forecast points; KNMI gives authoritative source files for the same region.

## FAQ

### What authentication does the KNMI Data Platform API use?

KNMI uses an API key passed in the Authorization header on every request. Through Jentic, that key is stored encrypted in your Jentic One instance, so research agents never handle the raw key in their context.

### Can I download a KNMI dataset file directly via the API?

The download is a two-step flow. First call GET `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files` to list filenames, then call GET `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files/{filename}/url` to get a temporary signed URL and download from there.

### What are the rate limits for the KNMI Data Platform API?

KNMI does not publish hard rate limits in the OpenAPI spec; the platform asks integrators to be considerate with high-frequency listing calls and to use signed URLs for bulk data transfer rather than re-issuing list calls.

### How do I retrieve the latest files in a KNMI dataset through Jentic?

Search Jentic for 'list files in a KNMI dataset version', load the GET `/open-data/v1/datasets/{datasetName}/versions/{versionId}/files` operation, and execute it with the dataset name and versionId. Jentic injects the API key automatically.

### Is the KNMI Data Platform API free?

Yes. KNMI publishes the data under an open data licence and the API is free to use after registering for an API key on developer.dataplatform.knmi.nl.

### Which datasets are available through the KNMI Data Platform?

KNMI publishes radar mosaics, station observations, climate model outputs, satellite imagery (Meteosat), and seismological feeds. The catalogue is on developer.dataplatform.knmi.nl; the API addresses each dataset by name and version.

### Can I limit what my agent is allowed to do with the KNMI Data Platform API?

Yes. Because you self-host Jentic One, your own rules decide which KNMI operations and credentials your agent may use. This API exposes only two read-only operations, listing files in a dataset version and fetching a temporary signed download URL, and KNMI puts the dataset name and version in the URL path, so you can pin the agent to a single dataset version and grant it nothing more. There is no write path to expose, so the agent can only read the files you allow.